LITERARY MEMOIRS OF LIVING AUTHORS OF GREAT BRITAIN, ARRANGED ACCORDING TO An ALPHABETICAL CATALOGUE of their NAMES. AND INCLUDING A LIST of heir WORKS, With OCCASIONAL OPINIONS upon their LITERARY CHARACTER.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON: PRINTED FOR R. FAULDER, NEW BOND STREET. SOLD ALSO BY T. EGERTON, WHITEHALL; AND W. RICHARDSON, ROYAL EXCHANGE. 1798.
SECRETARY to the Right Hon. Admiral Lord Hood, and formerly officiating Judge Advo⯑cate in North America. He publiſhed, in the year 1792, a very complete and uſeful Treatiſe on the Principles and Practice of Naval Courts Mar⯑tial, in an octavo volume. Previous to this, we believe, he had written a treatiſe on the theory and practice of Fencing, entitled, "The Army and [2] Navy Gentleman's Companion," and publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1780.
Curate of Claybrook, in Leiceſterſhire. He publiſhed, in 1791, "The Hiſtory and Antiquities at Claybrook," an octavo volume. Since that time, beſide two occaſional ſingle Sermons, he has writ⯑ten, "Rudiments of Political Science, Part I." a work of very conſiderable merit, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1796.
An occaſional Poetaſter of ſome merit. He wrote, in 1780, "Unanimity," a poem; and has, ſince that time▪ produced "The Genius of Ire⯑land," a maſque; and a Monody on the Death of Lady Arabella Denny.
Miniſter of the Goſpel at Dairſie, and author of "Lectures on the Prophecies of Iſaiah," in two octavo volumes, of which the firſt was publiſhed in 1791, and the ſecond in 1794. Theſe Lectures [3] are perfectly orthodox, but perhaps, too much of a popular complexion.
A Clergyman of the Church of Scotland. He publiſhed, in 1761, a burleſque on Fingal, entitled, "Three Beautiful and Important Paſſages omitted by the Tranſlator of Fingal," in which he mocks the ſtile of Oſſian with a crude ſpecies of humour. Mr. Macdonald has alſo written the Independent a novel, in two duodecimo volumes, and Velina a poetical fragment, publiſhed in 1782.
Of the Inner Temple, Barriſter at Law. This gentleman is author of a valuable Treatiſe on Civil Impriſonment in England, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1791; and alſo of "Thoughts on the Public Duties of Private Life," an elegant pam⯑phlet, publiſhed in 1795.
The Author of an Hiſtory of the Reign of George III. King of Great Britain, in four octavo [4] volumes, of which the firſt was publiſhed in 1770, and the fourth in 1796. This publication, though certainly not without the merit of utility, cannot, on many accounts, be ſaid to entitle Mr. Macfarlan to firſt-rate diſtinction as an Hiſtorian. We believe this gentleman formerly attempted a Tranſlation of Oſſian's Poems into Latin Hexameters, of which he publiſhed the firſt book of "Temora," by way of ſpecimen, in 1796. Thoſe who are acquainted with the characteriſtic genius and ſtyle of Oſſian, as well as with thoſe of the Roman claſſics, will wonder at ſuch an undertaking. The ſpecimen, produced upon this occaſion, was a very indifferent one.
A Clergyman of the Church of Scotland. He has been, for ſome time, one of the Miniſters of Canongate, Edinburgh, and has written a Defence of the Clergy of the Church of Scotland, who ap⯑peared in Oppoſition to the Intention of an unlim⯑ited Repeal of the Penal Laws againſt Roman Ca⯑tholics; an octavo volume of "Inquiries concern⯑ing the Poor," publiſhed in 1783; and Tracts on Subjects of National Importance, publiſhed three years afterward.
A Teacher of the Mathematics in Edinburgh, and author of "A complete Treatiſe on Practical Mathematics," an octavo volume, publiſhed in 1794, and "An Introduction to Menſuration," both of which are reſpectable performances.
Of Aberdeen. The author of a treatiſe on "The Theory and Practice of finding the Longi⯑tude at Sea or Land," in two thin octavo volumes publiſhed in 1793, a valuable work, in which he diſplays a moſt extenſive and accurate acquaintance with his ſubject. Mr. Mackay alſo wrote the arti⯑cles, Navigation, Parallax, Pendulum, Projection of the Sphere, Ship-Building, and Naval Tactics, in the Encyclopaedia Britannica; and is about to preſent the world with a Treatiſe on the Theory and Practice of Navigation, and another, in three volumes, on the Theory and Practice of Aſtronomy.
A native of Scotland, and a gentleman, whoſe elegance as a writer have juſtly entitled him to the name of the Addiſon of the North. The firſt cha⯑racter which he aſſumed as an author, was that of a ſentimental and pathetic writer, in which he met with conſiderable ſucceſs. "The Man of Feeling," a novel, his firſt publication, made its appearance in 1771, and was very favourably received. In the ſame year he publiſhed, "The Purſuits of Happi⯑neſs," a poem; and two years afterward, "The Man of the World," a novel, in two duodecimo volumes. The Novel of Julia de Rubignè, in two volumes, duodecimo, is alſo, we believe, to be at⯑tributed to his pen. In the dramatic line of com⯑poſition, he has produced the Prince of Tunis, a tragedy, acted at Edinburgh, in 1773, and, we be⯑lieve he altered the Fatal Curioſity of Lillo, as it was repreſented at the Hay Market Theatre. Mr. Mackenzie edited, in 1793, a quarto volume of "Poems by the late Rev. Dr. Thomas Blacklock, together, with an Eſſay on the Education of the Blind," to which he prefixed a moſt intereſting and elegant Account of the Author's Life and Writings. He announced, at the ſame time, the intended pub⯑lication of ſome Sermons and other proſe works, by Dr. Blacklock, which, we belive, have not yet [7] appeared. In the year 1779, when a ſociety of li⯑terary gentlemen at Edinburgh, came to the reſo⯑lution of publiſhing a Periodical Paper, Mr. Mac⯑kenzie, then of the Exchequer in that City, was entruſted with the conduct of the work. His nu⯑merous Papers in the Mirror, the firſt production of that Society, have been particularly diſtinguiſhed for their elegance and neatneſs. To the Lounger, a periodical paper, afterward publiſhed by the ſame Society, he likewiſe contributed ſome very diſtinguiſhed Eſſays. Indeed, we are of opinion, that without the attraction of Mr. Mackenzie's per⯑formances, neither of theſe publications would have ranked very highly in the claſs of Periodical Pa⯑pers. But poſſeſſed of theſe, they may boaſt a ſaving principle, and a ſterling excellence in their conformation, which gives them a durable value and will inſure them a laſting eſtimation among the works of taſte.*
An Officer, of a character no leſs honourable in the literary than in the military world. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1787, Strictures on Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton's Hiſtory of the Campaigns in North Ame⯑rica, in 1780 and 1781. Mr. Mackenzie was perſon⯑ally concerned, as well as Col. Tarleton, in ſome of the moſt conſiderable actions of theſe campaigns, and he animadverts with the greateſt ſeverity upon the Colonel's "Hiſtory." His publication ſeems to have been undertaken from a motive of great generoſity and friendly zeal, viz. to vindicate the fame of Lord Cornwallis, whoſe military conduct had ſuffered certain diſrepectful inſinuations from Colonel Tarleton, and whoſe diſtance from home deprived him of an opportunity of defending him⯑ſelf. Mr. Mackenzie has, ſince that time, pub⯑liſhed a "Sketch of the War with Tippoo Sul⯑taun," in two quarto volumes, which were printed at Calcutta, in 1793 and 1794. This work con⯑tains much excellent and circumſtantial information, related in a ſtrain of impartiality, and in an honeſt unaſſuming manner, which cannot fail to gratify every reader.
This lady has produced ſeveral Novels, at the Leadenhall-Street Preſs dedicated to the Goddeſs of Wiſdom. Among them are, "Monmouth," "Daniſh Maſſacre," "Myſteries Elucidated," and "the Neapolitan." They are frequently volumi⯑nous, and, ſometimes, of a ſpecies ſomewhat ſu⯑perior to the generality of the fungous productions of that literary hot-bed.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1791, Vindiciae Gallicae, a Defence of the French Revolution and its Engliſh Admirers, againſt the Accuſations of Mr. Burke, which has been almoſt univerſally al⯑lowed to be one of the beſt written pamphlets ever produced in our language. We believe Mr. Mack⯑intoſh is alſo the author of two octavo volumes of Travels in Europe, Aſia, and Africa, publiſhed ano⯑nimouſly in 1782. They conſiſt of a ſeries of fa⯑miliar well-written Letters, abounding in Ori⯑ental Politics, and are particularly ſevere upon Go⯑vernor Haſtings. They gave offence to ſome of our Eaſt indian Nabobs, and were anſwered in a ſtrain of Welch aſperity by Captain Joſeph Price, [10] who had complained of perſonal ill-treatment from Mr. Francis, and who now attributed theſe Travels to an agent employed by him, to traduce the cha⯑racter of Governor Haſtings.
An eminent Clergyman of the Church of Scot⯑land, who is celebrated for his learned and uſeful labours in illuſtration and defence of the New Teſ⯑tament. He publiſhed, in 1755, his celebrated "Harmony of the four Goſpels," in a quarto vo⯑lume; and, in 1764, "The Truth of the Goſpel Hiſtory ſhewed," in a quarto volume. Both of theſe works have experienced the ſucceſs to which ſuch laborious and maſterly performances are entitled. In 1786, Dr. Macknight publiſhed, in quarto, "A new literal Tranſlation, from the original Greek, of the Apoſtle Paul's firſt and ſecond Epiſtles to the Theſſalonians," which was intended as a ſpe⯑cimen of a literal Tranſlation of all the Apoſtolic Epiſtles, with Commentaries, Notes, and Eſſays, about which he had for many years been employed. This complete work did not make its appearance till 1795, when it was publiſhed, in four volumes, quarto, and added a new laurel to the brow of this, reſpectable veteran in biblical literature.
A native of Scotland, and late Miniſter of the Engliſh Church at the Hague. He publiſhed, ſo long ago as the year 1752, a ſingle Sermon on the Death of the Prince of Orange. In 1765, his maſterly Tranſlation of Moſheim's Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory made its firſt appearance, in two volumes, quarto. It experienced a moſt favourable recep⯑tion, and was ſoon reprinted, in ſix volumes, octavo, which is the form in which all the ſubſequent edi⯑tions have been publiſhed. A Supplement to the quarto edition, containing the corrections, additional notes and diſſertations which had been added to the octavo edition, was publiſhed by Dr. Maclaine, in quarto, in 1768. Few publications, upon their firſt appearance, have been more generally read than Mr. Soame Jenyns' View of the internal Evidence of Chriſtianity. Upon the occaſion of this publication, Dr. Maclaine addreſſed a Series of Letters to that gentleman, publiſhed in a duodecimo volume, in 1777. Theſe Letters were written to ſerve the beſt purpoſes of Chriſtianity, upon a due conſide⯑ration of the diſtinguiſhed eminence of Mr. Je⯑nyns as a writer, of the ſingular mixture of piety, wit, error, wiſdom, and paradox, exhibited in his publication, and of his defence of Chriſtianity, upon principles which would lead men to enthu⯑ſiaſm, [12] or to ſcepticiſm, according to their different diſpoſitions. His only publications, ſince this time, have been two Faſt Sermons, preached in 1793 and 1797.
Profeſſor of Hiſtory in the Univerſity of Glaſ⯑gow, and author of Caſus Principis; or, an Eſſay toward a Hiſtory of the Principality of Scotland, publiſhed in a quarto volume in 1792.
The author of "A warm Reply to Mr. Burke's Letter," publiſhed in 1796, for which, were there a Bedlam for raving authors, as well as for com⯑mon lunaticks, he would undoubtedly deſerve con⯑finement. He has alſo written a Series of incohe⯑rent letters, entitled, "The Biſhop of Landaff's Apology for the Bible examined."
A native of Ireland, educated for the profeſſion of the Law. He diſtinguiſhed himſelf by his Speeches at the Shakſpeare Tavern, in favour of the Coalition, in 1783, was, for ſome years, Editor [13] of the Public Ledger, and has, ſince that time, we believe, been concerned in other Newſpapers. In 1782, he wrote a ſenſible pamphlet, entitled, "The Claims of Ireland;" but he has been chiefly diſtinguiſhed as a dramatic writer. His firſt piece, "Retaliation," a farce, was acted at Covent Gar⯑den, in 1782, and received with uncommon applauſe. Triſtram Shandy, a piece, in two acts, was favoura⯑bly received in the following year; and, in the years 1785 and 1786, he produced, Faſhionable Levities, a comedy, and the April Fool, a farce. Mr. Macnal⯑ly diſplayed conſiderable ability in tranſlating from the French of M. Sedaine, the hiſtorical Romance of Richard Coeur de Lion. It was brought out at Drury Lane, in 1786, and greatly preferred to a piece of the ſame name, which had been repre⯑ſented at the other houſe.
Writer, and author of a Syſtem of Engliſh Conveyancing adapted to Scotland, which was publiſhed in quarto, in 1789; as alſo, of an Eſſay to demonſtrate that contingent Debts cannot, by law, be ranked on Eſtates ſequeſtered in Terms of the Statute, 23 George III. Cap. 18.
This gentleman publiſhed in 1788, a ſenſible pam⯑phlet, entitled, "Obſervations on the Treatment of the Negroes in Jamaica." He has, ſince that time, written, '"The Harp," a legendary tale, which gave occaſion to the Scotch proverb, "I'll never burn my harp for a woman," and which, in the dreſs he has given it, is a beautiful piece of ſenti⯑mental poetry; "Scotland's Skaith," a moſt ele⯑gant tale in verſe; and "The Waes of War," a very beautiful ſequel of that tale.
A Diſſenting Miniſter, and author of an Ap⯑peal to the Legiſlature, on the frequent Execution of Criminals, a ſingle Sermon, and two volumes of Diſcourſes on various ſubjects.
The author of "Geographical Illuſtrations of Scottiſh Hiſtory," in one volume, quarto, publiſhed in 1796.
Comedian of Covent Garden Theatre. He is a native of Dublin, and pleaſed the late Mr. Mack⯑lin ſo much, by repreſenting Egerton in his "Man of the World," at that city, that he exerted him⯑ſelf in his favour with the Covent Garden Manager, and obtained for him his preſent engagement. Mr. Macready has, of late, become Play-mender, as well as Actor, and has written, "The Iriſhman In London," a farce, and the Bank Note, a co⯑medy, which were produced in 1793 and 1795, and are both very indifferent performances.
Lord Biſhop of Peterborough, Rector of Weſt Harlton, and Vicar of Haxay, Lincolnſhire. His Lordſhip was formerly of Trinity College, Cam⯑bridge, and, previouſly to his taking orders, pub⯑liſhed (in 1782) a Tranſlation into Engliſh of Hugo Grotius on the Truth of Chriſtianity. This per⯑formance may boaſt the characteriſtics of familiarity, perſpicuity, and elegance. About the ſame time, Dr. Madan gained the Seatonian Prize, for a poe⯑tical Eſſay on the Call of the Gentiles. His Lordſhip [16] obtained the Biſhopric of Briſtol, in 1792, and was tranſlated to Peterborough two years afterward.
MAHON, LORD VISCOUNT,—See Stanhope.
Lady Margaret's Profeſſor in Divinity, and late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. A gentle⯑man highly eſteemed for his claſſical knowledge and taſte. He publiſhed, in 1780, a volume of Sermons on Several Occaſions, preached before the Univerſity, moſt of which had appeared before ſingly. Theſe Diſcourſes, and the elegant prefixed Diſſertation on that ſpecies of compoſition, have been highly ad⯑mired as poliſhed ſpecimens in their kind, and place the genius and judgement of their author in a moſt reſpectable point of view. Mr. Mainwaring has alſo publiſhed a few occaſional ſingle Sermons ſince the above date; and was engaged in a con⯑troverſy with the late Biſhop Hallifax about the proper way of quoting paſſages of Scripture.
This nobleman, although an eye-witneſs to the horrors which attended the popular commotions in France, has perſevered in avowing himſelf the champion of democracy. He publiſhed, in 1794, "Letters to the Peers of Scotland," in an octavo volume, a work too much of an inflammatory caſt; and his Lordſhip was not returned one of the ſix⯑teen Peers of Scotland in the preſent Parliament. He has alſo publiſhed "Thoughts on Finance," a pamphlet; and ſeveral of his Speeches have reach⯑ed the preſs. In 1797, his Lordſhip was made free of the Needle-makers Company and became an unſucceſsful candidate for the office of Sheriff of the City of London!!
The author of "The Schoolmaſter's complete Companion," a book of arithmetic, publiſhed in 1783. Since that time, he has publiſhed two Ser⯑mons on the King's Recovery, ſixteen Sermons on the moſt intereſting ſubjects to Seamen, a Word for the Bible (written in 1796), and the Naval [18] Gazetteer, or, Seaman's complete Guide, in two volumes, octavo, all of which are reſpectable per⯑formances.
Of Trinity College, Cambridge. The author of "Eſſays on Subjects connected with Civiliza⯑tion," publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1795. Theſe Eſſays poſſeſs much ingenuity, as well as many faults.
Of Queen Ann Street Eaſt. This gentleman, a native of Ireland, is the ſon of the late Attorney General of that Kingdom, and brother to Lord Sunderlin. He boaſts a very high and deſerved reputation in the literary world, as an Editor of Shakſpeare, and appears to have devoted almoſt the whole of his time to the ſtudy and illuſtra⯑tion of his immortal Author. Mr. Malone has written ſeveral Prologues and Epilogues, and publiſhed, in 1780, a very valuable Supplement, in two octavo volumes, to the edition of Shak⯑ſpeare's Plays, publiſhed, in 1778, by Johnſon and Stevens. In 1790, he produced his edition of the Plays and Poems of Shakſpeare, in ten crown oc⯑tavo [19] volumes, which, though inferior in ſplendour to the elegant edition ſince publiſhed by Mr. Ste⯑vens, has obtained its editor moſt diſtinguiſhed cre⯑dit for his aſſiduity and critical accumen. Two years after the appearance of this work, Mr. Ma⯑lone publiſhed a Letter to Dr. Farmer, relative to ſome diſtorted facts, in a pamphlet, entitled, "Cur⯑ſory Criticiſms" on his edition of Shakſpeare; and in 1796, an octavo volume, entitled, "An En⯑quiry into the Authenticity of certain Miſcellaneous Papers, &c. attributed to Shakſpeare." The latter of theſe performances had the honour of giving the finiſhing ſtroke to the infamous forgery of the Shakſperian MSS. (vide Ireland) and if we extend our indulgence to ſome extraneous matter, and a certain ſelf-complacent, ſarcaſtic aſperity, flowing through the volume, we cannot but pronounce it, a moſt maſterly piece of criticiſm, and a very learned and entertaining book. By this work Mr. Malone made a pious offering to the Manes of his celebrated author, and gave the public a new proof of his indefatigable diligence and accuracy. Mr. Malone was one of the executors of Sir Joſhua Reynolds, and publiſhed his works, in two volumes, quarto, in 1797, prefixing an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author.
When a King aſked Euclid the mathematician, whether he could not explain his art to him in a more compendious manner? he was anſwered, that there was no royal way to geometry. Nevertheleſs the ſubject of our preſent article gave his firſt pub⯑lication the title of "A Royal Road to Geometry." This uſeful work appeared, in an octavo volume, in 1775, and was republiſhed, with conſiderable additions and improvements, in 1793. He has alſo publiſhed "A complete Treatiſe on Perſpective, in Theory and Practice," publiſhed in folio, in 1776, and an Eſſay concerning the Publication of Works on Science and Literature, by ſubſcription. As a writer on ſubjects of ſcience, Mr. Malton's great⯑eſt fault appears to be his prolixity.
A native of Lehena, in Ireland, and the lady of Sir William Manners of Bucminſter-Park, Lei⯑ceſterſhire. Her Ladyſhip publiſhed, in 1793, a moſt elegantly-printed volume of "Poems," chiefly of the ballad or elegiac kind. Theſe productions cannot lay claim to firſt-rate excellence in point of genius and poetry▪ yet, the eaſe, elegance, taſte, [21] and charming ſimplicity, which generally pervade them, will lay almoſt every reader under a con⯑tribution of applauſe; while the virtuous ſenti⯑ments and amiable feelings which they diſcover in the writer, may confirm them, by a fair example, in the rectitude of goodneſs.
Paſtor of the united congregation of Diſſenters in Exeter. He publiſhed, in 1792, "A Sketch of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Micaiah Tow-good," in an octavo volume; and has, ſince that time, written a Funeral Sermon for the late Dr. Rice Harris, and "Exerciſes of Piety," tranſlated from the French edition of the original German of Zollikofre. They are all very reſpectable perform⯑ances.
Late of Caius College, Cambridge, and author of an Introduction to Arithmetic and Algebra, in an octavo volume, publiſhed in 1796. The com⯑pletion of this deſign was intended in another vo⯑volume; but, we have underſtood, that, owing to the non-admiſſion of the part already publiſhed as a lecture-book in the Univerſity, this completion is a matter of great uncertainty. For ourſelves, we [22] muſt own, that the preſent publication appears to us, from the manner of its execution, to caſt no new light or beauty on the branch of ſcience, of which it treats, and to have been an unneceſſary under⯑taking, after the then recent labours of Mr. Wood. But the cauſes of authorſhip are many and various!
Aſſiſtant Engineer during the Siege of the Ha⯑vanna, and Major of a Brigade in the Campaign of 1764. He publiſhed, in 1773, A Hiſtory of the War in North America, and the Iſlands of the Weſt Indies, in one volume, quarto; and has alſo written a Tranſlation of M. Maizeroi's Treatiſe on the Uſe of Defenſive Arms; a Tranſlation of M. Maizeroi's Tactics; Lucinda, a novel; and the Siege of Aubignè, an hiſtorical tale.
Lord Archbiſhop of York, Primate of Eng⯑land, and Lord High Almoner to his Majeſty. His Grace was, for ſome years, Maſter of Weſtmin⯑ſter School, and had the honour of being precep⯑tor to their Royal Highneſſes the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, from the year 1771 to 1776. His Grace's only publications have been ſeveral [23] occaſional ſingle Sermons, and a Concio ad Clerum, preached in 1769. A Sermon which he publiſhed, preached in 1777, before the Society for propa⯑gating the Goſpel in foreign Parts, excited a good deal attention, and was thought of an intolerant complexion.
Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and a moſt diligent biblical Scholar, and ingenious Cri⯑tic, who has deſerved very highly of the learned world, and of the theological Student, in particular. He has reſided ſome years in a German Univerſity, and publiſhed, in 1793, at the Cambridge preſs, in three octavo volumes, a Tranſlation into Engliſh of the firſt part of the fourth edition of Michaelis' In⯑troduction to the New Teſtament, a work which he has executed with moſt diſtinguiſhed ability, and which exhibits, in our language, a counter⯑part of the excellent performance of the German Profeſſor, whoſe name will be ever uttered with reſpect, as long as learning is an object of eſteem. Mr. Marſh has been, for ſome time, employed in preparing the remainder of this valuable work for the preſs. He has alſo publiſhed the Subſtance of two excellent Diſcourſes, preached before the Uni⯑verſity of Cambridge, in 1792; the one on the Uſefulneſs and Neceſſity of Theological Leaning to [24] thoſe who are deſigned for Holy Orders, the other on the Authenticity of the five Books of Moſes. And in 1795, he printed at Leipzig, an octavo vo⯑lume of Letters to the late Mr. Archdeacon Travis, in confirmation of the opinion that a Greek MS. in the public Library at Cambridge, is one of the ſeven quoted by R. Stephens at 1 John v. 7; a volume, which, notwithſtanding the whimſical ap⯑pearance of an algebraical theorem, which he has introduced for determining the identity of MSS. and which has drawn a ſmile from ſome of his readers, is a new proof of his learning, diligence, and accuracy.
An eminent writer on the ſubject of Agricul⯑ture, than whom none have done more toward diffu⯑ſing the important knowledge of Rural Oeconomy. He was, according to his own account, born a far⯑mer, bred to traffic, and returned to the plow. His firſt publication was "Minutes of Agriculture made on a Farm of three hundred Acres of various Soils, near Croydon, in Surry," which appeared in a quarto volume, in 1778. He has, ſince that time, written Experiments in Agriculture and on the Weather, in a quarto volume; the Rural Oeconomy of Norfolk: the Rural Oeconony of Yorkſhire; the Rural Oeconomy of Glouceſterſhire; the Rural [25] Oeconomy of the Midland Counties; and the Ru⯑ral Oeconomy of the Weſt of England, each in two volumes, octavo. Beſide theſe works, he has pub⯑liſhed a Review of Mr. Knight's Poem, "The Landſcape," and "Planting and Rural Ornament," in two volumes, octavo.
This lady has written Clarinda Cathcart and Alicia Montagu, novels, of which, the latter was publiſhed in 1767; Sir Harry Gaylove, a comedy, printed in Scotland, but never performed; and Letters for the Improvement of Youth.
A Bookſeller in Holborn, and a Diſſenting Preacher. He has written ſeveral Pieces in An⯑ſwer to Mr. Wincheſter's Doctrine of limited Pu⯑niſhments in a future State.
A Baptiſt Preacher, and Miniſter of a Chapel in Store Street, Bedford Square. Moſt of his writ⯑ings have been of a controverſial nature, on tri⯑fling [26] and temporary ſubjects. His principal pole⯑mic work is a Series of Letters to the Rev. Mr. Horſey, in Defence of Adult Baptiſm. He has alſo, beſide ſeveral occaſional ſingle Sermons, and trifling devotional tracts, publiſhed "The Conqueſt of Ca⯑naan," Thoughts on Faith, in two parts, a Speech on the Repeal of ſuch Parts of the Teſt and Cor⯑poration Acts, as affect conſcientious Diſſenters, a volume of Sermons on the Character of Chriſt, an Hiſtory of the Sufferings of M. de Marolles, Letters on Animal Magnetiſm, and his own Life.
Attorney of the Courts of England, and Soli⯑citor of the Courts of Scotland. The author of "The Marriage Law of Scotland ſtated," an oc⯑tavo pamphlet, publiſhed in 1787. Since which time, he has written, an Inquiry into the State of the Legal and Judicial Polity of Scotland; an Ac⯑count of the Trial of Samuel George Grant, for whom he was Solicitor; a Letter to Lord Lauder⯑dale, to prove that the High Court of Parliament has a Juriſdiction in Caſes of Appeal againſt the Judgements of the Court of Juſticiary in Scotland; and an Account of the Proceedings againſt him on a Charge of High Treaſon. Mr. Martin was diſ⯑charged from the King's Bench Priſon, on the oc⯑caſion referred to, in the latter of theſe publica⯑tions, [27] by a warrant of Privy Council. His writ⯑ings diſplay conſiderable abilities.
Of Sidney Suſſex College, Cambridge, and Pro⯑feſſor of Botany in the Univerſity, to which ſitua⯑tion he was elected in the year 1761. He is one of thoſe patriotic gentlemen who eſtabliſhed the Society for the improvement of naval architecture. He has publiſhed a Sermon for Addenbrooke's Hoſpital; an Addreſs to the Inhabitants of the Pa⯑riſh of St. Anne Weſtminſter, upon his arbitrary Diſmiſſion from the Curacy; Eccleſiaſtical Gallant⯑ry," a tale on the ſame ſubject; a Letter to Dr. Wynne; a Tranſlation from the Italian of vol. I. of the Antiquities of Herculaneum, publiſhed in quar⯑to, in 1773, in aſſociation with Mr. John Lettice; Catalogus Horti Botanici Cantabrigienſis; Elements of Natural Hiſtory; Letters on the Elements of Bo⯑tany, from the French of J. J. Rouſſeau, with ad⯑ditional letters; Botanical Plates illuſtrative of Lin⯑naeus' Syſtem of Vegetables; a Tour through Italy, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1791, a Dicti⯑onary of the Language of Botany, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1793, and Aranei, or, the Na⯑tural Hiſtory of Spiders, a large quarto volume.
Curſitor Baron of the Court of Exchequer, and formerly Attorney-General of Quebec. He is a very diſtinguiſhed writer, particularly in the mathe⯑matical department. He was educated under Mr. Wooddeſon, late of Kingſton-upon-Thames, and at Clare Hall, Cambridge. In the year 1752, he had the honour of obtaining, with Dr. Porteus, Biſhop of London, the Chancellor's Medals at Cambridge, on their firſt inſtitution. Baron Ma⯑ſeres' firſt publication was a Diſſertation on the Uſe of the Negative Sign in Algebra, which was publiſhed in quarto, in 1759; and he, ſoon after⯑ward, wrote "Elements of plain Trigonomety, in an octavo volume. In 1775, he publiſhed an Ac⯑count of the Proceedings of the Britiſh, and other Proteſtant Inhabitants of Quebec, in order to ob⯑tain an Houſe of Aſſembly in that province, an octavo volume; and two years afterward, vol. I. of the Canadian Freeholder, which was completed in three octavo volumes, and conſiſts of three Dia⯑logues between an Engliſhman and a Frenchman, ſettled in Canada. The latter of theſe works is an Inquiry concerning the King's ſole legiſtative Au⯑thority, over countries ſubdued by the Britiſh Arms and ceded to the Britiſh Crown; and it has been ſaid that the character of the Canadian Freeholder [29] is ſunk in that of the Engliſh Lawyer and Hiſtorian. Baron Maſeres has alſo publiſhed an excellent work, in two volumes, quarto, on the Principles of the Doctrine of Life-Annuities; a ſhort Enquiry into the Extent of the Power of Juries, on Trials for criminal Writings; the Moderate Reformer, a pamphlet on the correction of abuſes in the Church Eſtabliſhment; Mr. James Bernoulli's Doctrine of Permutations and Combinations, and ſome other uſeful mathematical Tracts, in an octavo volume; and Scriptores Logarithmici, in three volumes, quarto, publiſhed in 1791-1796, a moſt valuable work, con⯑ſiſting of ſeveral curious Tracts on the Nature and Conſtruction of Logarithms, with others on the Bi⯑nomial Theorem, and other ſubjects connected with the Doctrine of Logarithms. The latter of theſe undertakings, and the manner of its execution, leave us in doubt whether moſt to applaud the libe⯑rality or the knowledge of the editor.
Aſtronomer Royal, an appointment which he obtained in the year 1765, and a very celebrated Mathematician and natural Philoſopher. He was formerly a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and went to Barbadoes, under the appointment of the Board of Longitude, for the purpoſe of trying Mr. Harriſon's marine time-keeper, according to the Act [30] of the 14th of Queen Anne. His firſt publication was a quarto pamphlet, with a view to the im⯑provement of practical navigation, entitled, "The Britiſh Mariner's Guide," publiſhed in 1763. Four years after this, he publiſhed by order of the Com⯑miſſioners of Longitude, an Account of Mr. John Harriſon's Watch. In 1774, were publiſhed, by the Preſident and Council of the Royal Society, at the public expence, his Tables for computing the apparent Places of the fixed Stars, and reducing Obſervations of the Planets, in a folio volume. Two years after this, he produced the firſt volume (in folio) of his Aſtronomical Obſervations, made at the Royal Obſervatory at Greenwich from the year 1765, the continuation of which, to within a few years of the preſent time, has ſince ap⯑peared. This important publication is introduced into the world, in obedience to his Majeſty's Com⯑mand, in the ſame manner as that laſt, mentioned. In 1792, Dr. Maſkelyne preſented the world with the late Mr. Michael Taylor's invaluable Tables of Logarithms. That indefatigable labourer ſunk under his taſk, and died when only five pages of his work remained unfiniſhed, bequeathing the world a moſt remarkable monument of human induſtry. Dr. Maſkelyne had always encouraged the deſign, and now took upon himſelf to finiſh the work; to which he added a moſt maſterly Introduction, ren⯑dering the whole a very complete performance.
A Privy Counſellor, and a Member of Parlia⯑ment in the Kingdom of Ireland. Beſide ſome Prologues and Epilogues, he has written ingenious Comments on the 1779 Edition of Shakſpeare's Plays, which were publiſhed in an octavo vo⯑lume, in 1785.
Chaplain to Lord Onſlow and a Methodiſt. He is a ſon of the late Mr. Maſon, a Watchmaker, who wrote Notes upon Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progreſs, the Holy War, &c. He has publiſhed ſome ſingle Diſcourſes, and is now engaged in a Commentary on the Bible.
Clerk to her Majeſty's Treaſurer, and a gentle⯑man of moſt diſtinguiſhed character as an elegant ſcholar and a worthy man. He was educated at Eton School, took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Cam⯑bridge, in 1774, and was, for ſome time, Fellow of Trinity College. His firſt publication was a [32] quarto pamphlet, in 1781, conſiſting of Runic Odes, imitated from the Norſe Tongue. Two years af⯑terward, he publiſhed in a ſmall octavo volume, an Eſſay on the Evidence External and Internal, relating to the Poems attributed to Thomas Row⯑ley. This performance contains a general view of the whole controverſy reſpecting thoſe poems, and is juſtly entitled to the character of a candid and comprehenſive Eſſay. We believe that Dr. Glynn, of Cambridge, gave Mr. Mathias ſome aſſiſtance in this work. In theſe latter days Mr. Mathias has amuſed himſelf and the public, with ſeveral ſa⯑tirical pieces, which, while the times are peculi⯑arly in need of ſuch effuſions, do the higheſt honour to his wit and talents. It is not without ſome ſcru⯑ples that we ſpeak on this ſubject, as his publica⯑tions of this caſt have always been anonymous, and the author has been ſtudiouſly concealed. Yet when we reflect that in every ſuch inſtance his ex⯑ertions have done him the utmoſt credit, both as a ſcholar and as a man, and, that it is our duty to re⯑port our information, on theſe occasions, to the public, we truſt we may proceed. To his pen, we have little heſitation in aſcribing the three following excellent poetical pamphlets, viz. "The Political Dramatiſt of the Houſe of Commons, in 1795;" a Pair of Epiſtles to Dr. Randolph and the Earl of Jerſey; and the Imperial Epiſtle from Kien Long to George III; as alſo a Letter to the Marquis of Buck⯑ingham, chiefly on the Subject of the numerous [33] emigrant French Prieſts, by a Layman. The author of the celebrated ſatirical poem THE PURSUITS OF LITERATURE,* in four parts, of which the firſt was publiſhed in 1794, remained long unknown. We ſubjoin this excellent performance to the above liſt, from a conviction, that, conſidered in every poſſible point of view, it cannot but redound moſt highly to the credit of the writer. The cauſe of literature has never been ſupported, in a day of danger and perver⯑ſion, upon principles more excellent, or with powers better adapted to their object. The author of this Poem may claim the character of a Noble Patriot in Literature, of a man, whoſe Piety and Orthodoxy, are an Ornament to Human Nature and the Chriſ⯑tian Faith; of a Politician, whoſe ſentiments and example are an Honour to the Government and Miniſtry under which he lives; of a Scholar, whoſe attainments are of Firſt-Rate Excellence; and of a Satiriſt, whoſe keeneſt arrow is always directed by the hand of a Gentleman. The few falſe opi⯑nions and falſe judgements which this poem contains are trifling indeed, when compared with its nume⯑rous merits. The various and extenſive learning exhibited in the Notes, is conveyed in ſo lively a manner as to delight almoſt every reader. More [34] pains, however, might, perhaps, with propriety have been taken, in poliſhing the ſtyle of the notes, and we think the ingenious author* might, as well, have left Mr. Stevens to tell his ſtory of the Peg.
Hiſtoriographer we believe to the Eaſt India Com⯑pany, and a very learned, ingenious, and diligent Scholar. He was educated at Univerſity College, Oxford, afterward became Chaplain to the 97th Regi⯑ment, and lived for ſome years at Woodford, in Eſſex. He publiſhed, in 1779, a quarto volume of "Poems and Miſcellaneous Pieces," with a free Tranſlation of the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles. Moſt of theſe poems had appeared in print before, ſeparately; "Ne⯑therby," the oldeſt of them, was publiſhed in 1776. They poſſeſs much merit, but did not obtain their author that credit which his latter writings have ac⯑quired him. About a year, previouſly to this vo⯑lume, Mr. Maurice had printed a Faſt Sermon, which we believe is his only publication in the claſs of divinity. In 1782, he wrote Ierne Rediviva, an [35] ode, inſcribed to the Volunteers of Ireland; and, two years afterward, "Weſtminſter Abbey," an elegiac poem, both of which pieces increaſed his reputation as a poet. In 1789, Mr. Maurice pub⯑liſhed Panthea, a tragedy, from a ſtory in Xeno⯑phon, which did not add greatly to his fame; and relinquiſhing here the line of authorſhip, which he had hitherto traced, he has ſince acquired the greateſt eminence and diſtinction, in another track. This is a circumſtance which cannot but appear ſurpriſing; for what reader, with all his approba⯑tion of Mr. Maurice's abilities as an hiſtorian, can help yielding the palm to his poetical talents? In the year 1790, he publiſhed a Letter addreſſed to the Directors of the Eaſt India Company, contain⯑ing propoſals for printing a Hiſtory of the Revolu⯑tions of the Empire of Hindoſtan, from the earlieſt Ages; and has, ſince that time, publiſhed "Indian Antiquities," in ſix volumes, octavo (the two firſt of which appeared in 1793) and the firſt volume (in quarto) of the Hiſtory of Hindoſtan, publiſhed in 1795. The former of theſe works is introductory to and illuſtrative of the latter. Although it was ſanctioned by the approbation of the Eaſt India Company and Sir William Jones, it obtained only a dozen ſubſcribers in the courſe of twelve months! At preſent, however, the merit of the author of theſe works is well known to the public, and has obtained him a moſt diſtinguiſhed reputation. His erudition, diligence, and ingenuity are very remark⯑able. [36] His greateſt fault is, an imagination too flo⯑rid and poetical for his undertaking, and not ſuffi⯑ciently reducible to method and the power of con⯑denſing. In 1795, Mr. Maurice publiſhed, in quar⯑to, a beautiful elegiac Poem, ſacred to the Memory and Virtues of Sir William Jones, of which it is no mean praiſe to ſay, that it is ſuperior to Mr. Hay⯑ley's Poem on the ſame occaſion.
Rector of Beching-Stoke and Hewiſh, in the county of Wilts. He publiſhed, in 1793, in a fo⯑lio volume, "A Chronological Hiſtory of the Eu⯑ropean States, with their Diſcoveries and Settle⯑ments, from the Treaty of Nimeguen, in 1678 to the Cloſe of 1792," a uſeful work.
An Officer in the Navy, who particularly diſ⯑tinguiſhed himſelf by his ſpirited conduct toward the Spaniards, at Nootka Sound. He has publiſhed, in a large quarto volume, "Voyages made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the North⯑weſt Coaſt of America." In this volume he makes ſome ſevere reflections on the conduct of Captains Portlock and Dixon. The latter wrote a Reply to [37] theſe reflections, was anſwered by Mr. Meares, and replied to his Anſwer.
A Methodiſt Preacher at Liverpool. He en⯑gaged, in 1776, in a controverſy with the Rev. Richard de Courcy, on Baptiſm, and has alſo pub⯑liſhed the Spiritual Merchant, a Sermon, and a vo⯑lume of Hymns.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1771, by way of appeal to the public, his "Dramatic Works," conſiſting of three tragedies, which had very pro⯑perly been rejected by the Managers of both The⯑atres. He has alſo publiſhed an Engliſh Grammar, a Tranſlation of Berquin's Friend of Youth, in twelve ſmall volumes, a Tranſlation of Telemachus, and Sermons for Children, in three duodecimo vo⯑lumes. Moſt of theſe are bad, but the laſt bad indeed.
This literary Veteran has been diſtinguiſhed for more than fifty years, as one of the moſt elegant ſcholars and claſſical writers of his time. Few au⯑thors have contributed ſo much to the improvement of our ſtyle, or have exhibited, in their works, ſuch complete models of elegant writing, ſuch ſpecimens of correct choice and perſpicuous arrangement of words, and of harmonious conſtruction of periods. Mr. Melmoth is a ſon of the late eminent Advo⯑cate of the ſame name, who wrote an admirable treatiſe on the great importance of a Religious Life. He died in 1743, and it is ſaid of him, 'few ever paſſed a more uſeful, none a more blameleſs life.' The firſt publication of the ſubject of this article was "The Letters of Sir Thomas Fitzoſ⯑borne, on ſeveral Subjects," in an octavo volume. Theſe admired Letters made their firſt appearance about the year 1742, and have experienced that favourable reception and general circulation, to which their very ſterling merit entitles them. Mr. Melrmoth's elegant Tranſlation of Pliny's Epiſtles made its firſt appearance, in two octavo volumes, in 1747, about four years before the Tranſlation by the Earl of Orrery, to which it was juſtly preferred. In 1753, he publiſhed, in three octavo volumes, a Tran⯑ſlation of Cicero's Letters to his Friends, with Re⯑marks [39] in which the patriot character ofth a celebrated Roman is juſtly queſtioned; and, in 1773 and 1777, Tranſlations of Cicero's Cato and Laelius, each in an octavo volume, with Remarks. Theſe finiſhed performances have acquired Mr. Melmoth the great⯑eſt reputation poſſible, as an elegant and accurate ſcholar. They will probably ſpeak for him while Roman and Engliſh eloquence can be united. Yet, when we conſider them as ſpecimens of tranſlation, we cannot help thinking, that he is too often led away by the vanity of improving upon his author, that he frequently ſacrifices his original to a falſe refinement and an overſpun delicacy of phraſe, and laſtly, that he has too much of what the Greeks expreſs by the forcible term [...]. In the year 1794, after a long repoſe, Mr. Melmoth was con⯑ſtrained to reſume his pen, upon the occaſion of a very unprovoked attack from Mr. Bryant, in his Treatiſe on the Truth of the Chriſtian Religion. The grounds of this attack were Mr. Melmoth's remarks in his Tranſlation of Pliny's Letters, re⯑ſpecting Trajan's perſecution of the Chriſtians in Bythinia, and he wrote a pamphlet in Anſwer to Mr. Bryant, in which he vindicated himſelf with great ability, and proved his point. Two years after this, Mr. Melmoth publiſhed, "Memoirs of a late eminent Advocate" (his father), in a thin octavo volume; which is a tribute of filial piety, not leſs elegant than merited.
MELMOTH, COURTNEY. — See Pratt.
This gentleman is a native of the Metropolis, and ſon of a late Governor of the Hudſon's Bay Company. He was born in the year 1755, was educated at Harrow under the private tuition of Dr. Parr, and became, afterward, a Member of Chriſt [...]s College, Cambridge, and of Lincoln's Inn. Upon the death of his father he bought a com⯑miſſion in the Horſe-guards, and was, for ſeveral years, Adjutant and Lieutenant to the firſt troop, commanded by Lord Lothian. He afterward quit⯑ted this ſervice, and travelled, for ſome years, on the continent. Mr. Merry made a long ſtay at Florence, and was elected a Member of the fa⯑mous Academy Della Cruſca. A few years ago, he married the celebrated actreſs Miſs Brunton, who then quitted the ſtage. During his reſidence at Florence, Mr. Merry was a principal contributor to the "Florence Miſcellany," which was written by a few Engliſh of both ſexes, who had met by chance at Florence, and was ſuperintended by Mrs. Piozzi. In 1787, he publiſhed, in London, "Pau⯑lina, or the Ruſſian Daughter," a poetical tale, founded on fact; and in the year following, "Di⯑verſity," [41] a poem. He has alſo publiſhed "The Laurel of Liberty," a poem; "Lorenzo," a tragedy, repreſented at Covent Garden; an Ode for the 14th of July, 1791, which was performed at the Crown and Anchor Tavern; "Fenelon, or the Nuns of Cambray," a ſerious drama, altered from the French; and "The Pains of Memory," a poem, publiſhed in 1796. An Ode on the Recovery of his Majeſty, recited by Mrs. Siddons at a Gala given by the Subſcribers to Brookes' Club, as well as a comic-opera, entitled, "The Magician no Conjuror," acted four nights in the winter of 1792, are alſo to be attributed to his pen. On the 29th of June, 1787, Mr. Merry ſent a pretty little poem, entitled, the Adieu and Recall to Love, to the World, a newſpaper of the day, with the ſignature Della Cruſca. It was anſwered by a poem, enti⯑tled, the Pen, ſigned Anna Matilda. The corre⯑ſpondence thus begun, was from poetical ſym⯑pathy kept up, at intervals, for two years. Many new correſpondents came forward, but the writers remained long unknown to the public and to one another. Time, at laſt, diſcovered Della Cruſca and Anna Matilda, to be Mr. Merry and Mrs. Ro⯑binſon, who had an interview toward the concluſion of the correſpondence. In the mean time the po⯑etry, ſome of which is very pretty, attracted a good deal of notice, and was reprinted, in volumes, under the title of "The Poetry of the World." It has now reached a fourth edition, in two duode⯑cimo [42] volumes, entitled, "The Britiſh Album." Mr. Merry's pieces, in this collection, have the greateſt claim to diſtinction of any. His poem, "Diverſity" and "Ambitions Vengeance," a tra⯑gic-drama, are to be found in theſe volumes. In ſpeaking of Mr. Merry's pretenſions to ſame, as a poet, we muſt obſerve that he has been loudly de⯑cried and ſtigmatiſed by an elegant ſatiriſt of the preſent day, (vide William Gifford, Eſq.) who has ſaid of one of his pieces* that it is diſtinguiſhed by "Downright nonſenſe, Downright frigidity, and downright doggerel." We own that his falſe glitter, his negligence, and his obſcurity are frequently highly reprehenſible, yet, cannot but allow, that his pretenſions to poetical merit are often great and ſtriking, while the ſpirit of liberty and benevolence which breathes through his writings ſeems ardent and ſincere. His poem, entitled, "The Pains of Memory," has been preferred by many readers, to Mr. Rogers' popular poem "The Pleaſures of Memory."
Of Forcett. The author of an octavo volume, publiſhed in 1795, entitled "Principles of Legiſ⯑lation," which does him very conſiderable credit.
A Methodiſt Clergyman, who has publiſhed a Sermon on the Death of Thomas Jackſon; "Bio⯑graphia Evangelica," in four volumes, octavo, the ſtyle of which is peculiarly diſagreeable; a Dictio⯑nary of Arts and Sciences, which is but an indif⯑ferent compilation; and a Sermon preached at the funeral of Mr. W. Binns.
A well-known political Pamphleteer, ſuffici⯑ently addicted to ſcurrility. He is ſuppoſed to have been, not long ago, a ſecret agent of the Britiſh Government. He has written a Letter to the Prince of Wales, on a ſecond Application to Parliament to diſcharge Debts, &c. which has been a good deal rend; "The Conduct of France toward Great Britain examined;" a Letter to the Duke of Grafton; a Vindication of that Letter; a Letter to Earl Stanhope; "The Expediency of preſcrib⯑ing Bounds to the Ruſſian Empire;" a Letter to Henry Duncombe, Eſq. on the Subject of Mr. Burke's Letter to a noble Lord; and "Authentic Correſpondence with M. le Brun," &c.
Profeſſor of Civil and Scottiſh Law, in the Uni⯑verſity of Glaſgow. He publiſhed, in 1771, a quarto volume of Obſervations concerning the Diſ⯑tinction of Ranks in Society; and, in 1787, a very ingenious Hiſtorical View of the Engliſh Go⯑vernment, in a quarto volume.
The author of an Illuſtration of the Sexual Syſ⯑tem of Linnaeus, which was firſt publiſhed in twenty folio numbers, at a guinea each, and which obtained the approbation of Linnaeus himſelf. At the requeſt of many Students in Botany, and par⯑ticularly or the younger Linnè, he was induced, in 1779, to publiſh the Plates of this work, reduced to an octavo ſize. Other engagements intervening, ten years elapſed before his Illuſtration of the Ter⯑mini Botanici was ready for publication. The whole conſtitutes a very valuable work.
Profeſſor of Chemiſtry to the College, New-Windſor, Nova Scotia, and Mineralogiſt General to Britiſh America. The author of a very valuable Synopſis of Mineralogy, in thirteen large folio ſheets, publiſhed in 1794, which procured him the above honours.
A Diſſenting Miniſter of High Wycomb. He has publiſhed "Catholic Baptiſm examined," "The Paedobaptiſt Mode of adminiſtering the Baptiſmal Ordinance defended," and a Funeral Sermon for his Father!
Rector of both the Churches at Deptford. He is a popular Preacher, and celebrated as a Botaniſt. In 1770, he publiſhed a Botanical Dictionary, in duodecimo, and has, ſince that time, written "In⯑ſtitutes of Botany," in two parts, quarto; a Sup⯑plement to his Botanical Dictionary; and vol. I. (in octavo) of "Indigenous Botany," a moſt uſe⯑ful [46] book, publiſhed in 1793, in aſſociation with MR. Alexander Gordon. Dr. Mine has alſo, beſide ſeveral ſingle Sermons, publiſhed a volume of Ser⯑mons, which appeared in 1780. Theſe Diſcourſes are exceſſively tedious, and the Dr. appears to greater advantage in print, as a cultivator of the flowers of the earth, than of thoſe of rhetoric.
Late Maſter of the Grammar School, at King⯑ſton-upon-Hull, and now Vicar of the High Church in that Borough. He is a claſſical Scholar of conſi⯑derable eminence, and has ſent forth many men into the world who do him the higheſt credit as a teacher. He was educated at Catherine Hall, Cambridge, is brother to the preſent Maſter of Queen's Col⯑lege, and reſigned the above School upon being pre⯑ſented with the Vicarage, in 1797, vacated by the death of the Rev. Mr. Clarke▪ Mr. Milner's firſt pub⯑lication Account of Chriſtianity conſidered; together with ſome Strictures on Humes' Dialogues concern⯑ing Natural Religion," a performance, which, though written with the moſt laudable intention poſſible, is, perhaps, too angry and dogmatical to entitle him to much credit. In 1789, he publiſhed "Eſſays on ſeveral religious Subjects, chiefly tend⯑ing to illuſtrate the Scripture Doctrine of the In⯑fluence [47] of the Holy Spirit," in a duodecimo volume. Theſe Eſſays were chiefly intended as an anſwer to Mr. Ludlam's Theological Eſſays. Since that time, he has publiſhed two volumes (in octavo) of a Hiſtory of the Church of Chriſt. Upon the whole, it is, perhaps, to be lamented in the caſe of Mr. Milner, that, with abilities and knowledge like his, he ſhould not have been more aſſiduous in cultivat⯑ing the character of a well-bred and attractive writer.
A Roman Catholic Clergyman, of a private Chapel in Wincheſter. He publiſhed a ſenſible Diſcourſe on his Majeſty's Recovery (1789) in which be has introduced a very elaborate, and truly jeſuitical juſtification of the principles and conduct of modern Catholics. Mr. Milner has alſo publiſhed the Funeral Oration of Louis XVI. at the funeral ſervice performed by the French Clergy of the King's houſe, Wincheſter, Inquiry into the Exiſtence and Character of St. George, Patron of England. He is an occaſional correſpondent with the Gentleman's Magazine, and has been ſeverely reprimanded by the author of "The Purſuits of Literature," for a pamphlet which he wrote, in 1795, entitled. "A Reply to [48] the Report publiſhed by the Ciſalpine Club on the proteſtation, &c. &c."
Member of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, and Maſter of the City Commercial School, George Yard, Lombard Street. He publiſhed, in 1794, in an octavo volume, "The well-bred Scholar," a uſeful collection of practical Eſſays, on the beſt methods of improving the taſte and aſſiſting the exertions of youth in their literary purſuits.
MINIFIE.—See Gunning.
Lieutenant Colonel of the South Hampſhire Militia, and brother to Sir John Mitford, Solicitor General to his Majeſty. This gentleman is one of thoſe characters, in the republic of letters, which we contemplate with peculiar ſatiſfaction. He has devoted the leiſure of a military life to the cultiva⯑tion of letters, has ſerved the trueſt intereſts of the literary community, by bringing to claſſic regions freſh acceſſions of light and certainty, and has always preſerved in his writings a manlineſs of deportment [49] and ſtrength of character, which entitle him to the higheſt admiration as a citizen of that community. ford, and has beſtowed much time and attention on his favourite ſtudy of antiquities. His chief work, the Hiſtory of Greece, is a performance which does him infinite credit. To thoſe who are acquainted with the intricacy of many parts of Grecian Hiſ⯑tory, with the extreme difficulty of collecting the ſcattered members of it, of detecting the ſuppoſi⯑titious and doubtful among what is related by infe⯑rior or later authors, and of aſcertaining and ar⯑ranging the genuine; and laſtly, without the aſſiſt⯑ance of invention, of forming, from parts ſo broken and diſperſed, a harmonizing whole, he will ap⯑pear highly to deſerve the character of a learned and accurate hiſtorian. His Hiſtory of Greece is not the work of a cloſet critic, or a monkiſh phi⯑loſopher; but owes its exiſtence to a moſt compre⯑henſive mind and correct judgement, happily blend⯑ed with extenſive knowledge, and an acquaintance with the modes and manners of life. He frequently and his union of characters, ſoldier, ſeaman, ſtateſ⯑man, ſcholar, poet, and philoſopher; while his juſt eſtimation of his invaluable guides Thucydides and Xenophon, increaſes our admiration of the ſoldier-philoſopher who is our own. Much of the earlier part of this valuable work was written in camps and in quarters during the American war. It was [50] firſt publiſhed by ſingle quarto volumes, of which the firſt appeared in 1784, two years previous to the Hiſtory by Dr. Gillies (vide that name). At preſent three of theſe volumes are publiſhed, and the third edition was printed in octavo, each of the original volumes forming two of theſe. Ten years previous to the firſt appearance of this work, Mr. Mitford had publiſhed, anonymouſly, an Eſſay upon to illuſtrate that of the Engliſh Language; and, in 1791, he wrote a pamphlet, entitled, "Conſidera⯑tions on the Opinion ſtated by the Lords of the Committee of Council, in a Repreſentation to the King, upon the Corn Laws, that Great Britain is unable to produce Corn ſufficient for its own Con⯑ſumption, &c."
In his moſt diſtinguiſhed character, as an au⯑thor, we aſſert without heſitation of Mr. Mitford, that, the induſtry with which he has collected his materials from ancient ſources, and brought toge⯑ther from diſtant quarters, whatever might ſerve to which he diſcovers in comparing, the various repre⯑ſentations given by different authors of the ſame facts, his perfect originality of thought and expreſ⯑ſion, the diſplay of general knowledge which he ſo agreably and judiciouſly introduces, his com⯑prehenſion of mind in the arrangement of the whole, his found learning, his ſtrength of judge⯑ment, his diligent inveſtigation, all unite in enti⯑tling [51] him to the firſt place among the hiſtorians of Greece. It is unfortunate that amid ſo much per⯑fection there ſhould be found a ſingle blemiſh. Yet, the ſtyle of Mr. Mitford can certainly not be ſaid to poſſeſs that grace and poliſh, which would diſ⯑play to moſt advantage the many excellencies of his writings. With the generality of readers, the beau⯑ties of ſtyle are of the higheſt conſideration. Could Mr. Mitford boaſt this among his other ſuperiori⯑ties, few indeed would be the hiſtorians who would have greater claims to diſtinction!
A native of Scotland, formerly a Clergyman of the Church of Scotland, and now of the Church of England. He is a writer of conſiderable ability, but owing to a large family and a ſmall curacy, we believe, he has felt ſeverely the hardſhips of po⯑verty. He publiſhed, in 1776, a duodecimo vo⯑lume of "Diſcourſes on Practical Subjects;" and in 1784, an octavo volume of "Sermons, on ſome of the moſt uſeful and intereſting Subjects in Reli⯑gion and Life." A Hiſtory of the Life and pub⯑lic Services of Mr. Fox, and a Hiſtory of Tranſac⯑tions in India, from 1760, each in an octavo vo⯑lume, have alſo been attributed to him. Mr. Moir is, moreover, ſuppoſed to have been concerned in ſome of the Newſpapers, and has lately written [52] ſome ſingle Sermons, and an octavo volume, en⯑titled "Preventive Policy." The latter of theſe works aims at an humble defence of our whole eſtabliſhment in every form of property and diſtinc⯑tion it involves, and, as its drift is to guard the in⯑tereſts of the opulent, a copy was left at many of the principal houſes in the Metropolis, in the hope that ſome conſideration might be deemed due to the labour of the author. There is an affected profundity in many of the reflections of Mr. Moir, but, upon the whole, his ſtyle of writing is good, and his talents appear to be very reſpectable.
Of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Maſter of the Royal Grammar School, at Newcaſtle-upon-Tyne. He publiſhed, in 1792, "The Perſian Interpreter," in a quarto volume, which is a ſhameful plagiariſm from the excellent Perſian Grammar of Sir William Jones.
MONBODDO, LORD.—See Burnet.
Of Bear's Combe near Kingſbridge, Devon⯑ſhire. Late a Lieutenant of Dragoons, and author of an Agricultural Dictionary, conſiſting of Ex⯑tracts from the moſt celebrated authors and pa⯑pers, in three volumes, octavo, which is by no means a complete performance.
Profeſſor of Medicine, Anatomy, and Surgery in the Univerſity of Edinburgh, &c. and a Phyſi⯑cian of the higheſt reputation. He is the ſon of a celebrated character of the ſame name, whoſe "Oſ⯑teology" is ſo univerſally eſteemed, and who like⯑wiſe, formerly, held the above Profeſſorſhip. In 1781, he publiſhed his father's works, in a quarto volume; and two years afterward, "Obſervations on the Structure and Functions of the Nervous Syſtem," in a royal folio volume, illuſtrated with plates. In 1785, he publiſhed "The Structure and Phiſiology of Fiſhes explained, and compared with thoſe of Man and other Animals, in a royal folio volume; and, three years afterward, a Deſcription of all the Burſae Mucoſae of the Human Body. He has, ſince that time, written a quarto pamphlet [54] of Experiments on the Nervous Syſtem with Opium and Metalline Subſtances.
A Phyſician in London, Fellow of the Royal College of Phyſicians, and brother to the ſubject of the preceeding article. He wrote the Life of the late Dr. Monro, prefixed to the quarto volume of his works, mentioned in our laſt memoir, and be⯑ſide ſeveral ſmaller medical Treatiſes, has written, "Obſervations on the Means of preſerving the Health of Soldiers," in two volumes, octavo, publiſhed in 1780; and a Treatiſe on Medical and Pharmaceutical Chemiſtry, and the Materia Medica, in four octavo volumes.
Of Upper Berkley Street, Portman Square. A lady of conſiderable literary accompliſhments, and whoſe charity, in beſtowing an annual May-day Dinner upon the Chimney Sweepers, is well known. Her maiden name was Robinſon, and ſhe was nearly related to the late Primate of Ire⯑land. She has written "An Eſſay on the Writings and Genius of Shakſpeare, compared with the Greek and French dramatic Poets, with ſome Re⯑marks [55] upon the Miſrepreſentations of M. de Vol⯑taire," in octavo, the firſt edition of which was publiſhed in 1769, and a ſecond in 1776. This performance has obtained her much applauſe.
This gentleman's original name was Robinſon. He is brother to the ſubject of the preceeding ar⯑ticle, and was a Member of the two laſt Parlia⯑ments. Mr. Montagu has written ſeveral political Pamphlets, which, notwithſtanding their peculi⯑arity of ſtyle, do him great credit. Among them are, "Conſiderations on the Meaſures carrying on with reſpect to the Britiſh Colonies in North America," publiſhed in 1774; "A farther Examination of our American Meaſures," publiſhed two years af⯑terward; "Peace the beſt Policy," publiſhed in 1777; "The Dangerous Situation of England," publiſhed in 1786; and "Friendly Remarks on Mr. Pitt's Adminiſtration, by a near Obſerver," publiſhed in 1795. His ſignature, formerly, was M. Robinſon, M. Eſq.
A native of Sienna, and a Teacher of Lan⯑guages. He has publiſhed L'Inſtruttor giocondo &c. [56] i.e. the amuſing Inſtructor, or a Key to the Italian Claſſics; a Verſion of the Common Prayer, in Ita⯑lian; Select Pieces of Metaſtatio, &c. He is ſuppoſed to have uncommon knowledge of the Chi⯑neſe Language.
A military Officer, and author of a very enter⯑taining Narrative of the Operations of Captain Little's Detachment, and of the Mahratta Army, commanded by Purſeram Bhow, during the Con⯑federacy in India, againſt the Nawab Tippco Sul⯑tan Bahadur, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1794.
This gentleman, whoſe writings have obtained him a great and well-merited celebrity in the liter⯑ary world, was formerly travelling-preceptor to the Duke of Hamilton. He publiſhed, in 1779, a View of Society and Manners in France, Switzerland, and Germany, in two octavo volumes; a work which was favourably received, and which gained its au⯑thor no ſmall ſhare of credit. Two years after this, he wrote a View of Society and Manners in Italy, which, as the obſervations it contains oc⯑curred in the ſame tour, ſo is it to be conſidered as [57] a continuation of the above work, in merit, as well as ſubject. Theſe volumes have ſeen ſeveral edi⯑tions ſince their firſt publication. In 1786, Dr. Moore publiſhed an octavo volume of "Medical Sketches;" and, three years afterward, his cele⯑brated novel, entitled, "Zeluco," in two volumes, octavo. Dr. Moore accompanied the Earl of Lau⯑derdale to Paris, in 1792, and was preſent during the horrid maſſacre of the 2d of September. Soon after his return to England, he publiſhed a Journal dur⯑ing his Reſidence in France, in two volumes, oc⯑tavo, which is a moſt valuable and authentic work; and, in 1795, he produced a View of the Cauſes and Progreſs of the French Revolution, in two more octavo volumes. He has, ſince that time, written Edward, a novel, in two octavo volumes, which, like Zeluco, exhibits various views of hu⯑man nature, but its characters are more indige⯑nous to our own ſoil. It is hardly neceſſary for us to add of ſo popular a writer as Mr. Moore, that his works diſcover him to poſſeſs great inſight into human nature, and that happy union of acute diſ⯑cernment, with a lively imagination, by which he is enabled to deſcribe its intricacies with the greateſt pleaſantry.
Rector of Cuxton, and Vicar of Boughton-Blean, Kent; and formerly Fellow of Trinity Col⯑lege, Cambridge. This gentleman publiſhed a Viſitation Sermon, in 1785, and, in 1790 "A full Inquiry into the Subject of Suicide," in two vo⯑lumes, quarto, which is an elaborate, uſeful, and entertaining work.
Member of the Surgeons' Company. He pub⯑liſhed in 1786, in an octavo pamphlet, "A Me⯑thod of preventing or diminiſhing Pain, in ſeveral Operations of Surgery," i.e. by compreſſing the nerves going to the limb. In the year 1789, he obtained the prize-medal, given by the Lyceum Medicum Londinenſe, for an ingenious Diſſertation on the Proceſs of Nature, in filling up the Cavities, healing Wounds, &c. in the Human Body. He has alſo written, an Eſſay on the Materia Medica, in which the theories of Dr. Cullen, with ſome opinions of Mr. Hunter and other celebrated wri⯑ters, are conſidered in a very ſenſible manner.
Formerly a School-miſtreſs at Briſtol, and a lady juſtly celebrated for her literary accompliſhments. The elegant ſimplicity of her poems, and the pious and virtuous ſentiments which they inculcate, come with peculiar grace from a female pen. Her firſt publication was a paſtoral drama, entitled, "The Search of Happineſs," which appeared in 1773. It was written at the age of eighteen for ſome female friends, who played the reſpective characters in private parties. Though the plot of this little piece is perfectly inartificial, the poetry which it contains does infinite credit to the powers of ſuch early years, and it experienced a very favourable reception. In the following year, Mrs. More pub⯑liſhed the Inflexible Captive, founded on the ſtory of Regulus, an excellent tragedy conſidered as a literary compoſition, and which was acted one night at Bath. Sir Eldred of the Bower, and the Bleeding Rock, two beautiful legendary tales, were publiſhed together, in quarto, in 1776. The lat⯑ter is in the manner of Ovid, and the pretty fiction at the concluſion had its origin from a rock, near the author's reſidence in Somerſetſhire, whence a crimſon ſtream flows, occaſioned by the red ſtrata over which the water makes its way from the mountains. Mrs. More has alſo. written an Ode [60] to Dragon, Mr. Garrick's Houſe-Dog; Eſſays on various Subjects, principally deſigned for young La⯑dies, an octavo volume; the tragedy of Percy, founded on the Gabrielle de Vergy of M. de Bel⯑loy; the Fatal Falſehood, a tragedy; Sacred Dra⯑mas, the ſubjects of which are taken from the Bi⯑ble, and Senſibility, a poem; Florio and the Bas Bleu, two poems; Slavery, a poem; and Remarks on the Speech of M. Dupont, made in the Nati⯑onal Convention of France, on the Subjects of Re⯑ligion and public Education. The profits of the laſt of theſe publications were to be given to the French emigrant clergy. Each of theſe performances bears genuine marks of the ſterling abilities and pro⯑ficiency of their author. United, they entitle her to high eminence, indeed, among female writers. Mrs. More wrote the preface to Anne Yearſley's (the Briſtol Milk-maid) poems, and is ſuppoſed to be concerned in ſeveral little pieces diſtributed among the poor, by a ſociety under the active patronage of the worthy Biſhop of London. The uſeful lit⯑tle tract, "An Eſtimate of the Religion of the Faſhionable World," is alſo attributed to her.
Actuary to the Equitable Aſſurance Office, Black friars. This gentleman is nephew to the late celebrated Dr. Price. His abilities as a calculator [61] are of the fiſt diſtinction, and, had he been ſa⯑tisfied with the exerciſe of thoſe abilities, in the advancement of his fortune, without employing them to calculate the poſſible calamities of his country, in a day when ſhe ſtood in need of en⯑couragement rather than increaſe of apprehenſion, he had been eſteemed, by her better citizens, a more uſeful and reſpectable member of her com⯑munity. He publiſhed, in 1779, "The Doctrine of Annuities and Aſſurances on Lives and Survi⯑vorſhips," in an octavo volume, which is a very ingenious performance. About a year after this, he was engaged in a philoſophical controverſy with Dr. Adair Crawford on the ſubject of Animal Heat, and wrote a pamphlet, entitled, "An Examina⯑tion" of that gentleman's Theory. In 1792, he publiſhed a Review of Dr. Price's Writings on the Subject of the Finances of this Kingdom, in an octavo pamphlet, which has been reprinted. Mr. Morgan has, ſince that time written, "Facts," addreſſed to the ſerious attention of the people, reſpecting the expence of the War and the ſtate of the national Debt; "Additional Facts," on the ſame ſubject; and "An Appeal" to the people on the alarming ſtate of the public Finances and public Credit. In theſe pamphlets Mr. Morgan has made many very queſtionable poſitions, and has, throughout, ſtrained every nerve of his ingenuity, and know⯑ledge of public affairs, to become a moſt terrifying alarmiſt. We are ſorry that his abilities ſhould [62] ever have been proſtituted upon ſo pernicious and unpatriotic a purpoſe. The "Facts," were ex⯑tremely well anſwered in a moſt gentlemanly pam⯑phlet, by Nicholas Vanſittart, Eſq. M.P.
A Diſſenting Clergyman, formerly of Hackney, at preſent of Southgate. He is brother to the ſub⯑ject of the preceeding article, and keeps an aca⯑demy for young gentlemen. Mr. Morgan is author of "Lectures on Electricity," in two duodecimo volumes, publiſhed in 1794, a work far from cre⯑ditable to a natural philoſopher, who would be thought a ſuperior electrician.
A Diſſenting Miniſter, and one of the compi⯑lers of the new volume of Hymns introduced among the preſbyterian congregations. In this ſe⯑lection ſeveral of Dr. Watts' beautiful compoſi⯑tions are wretchedly mutilated, and he is made to utter ſentiments which he never profeſſed. Mr. Morgan is alſo ſuppoſed, ſince the death of Dr. Kippis, to ſuperintend the New Annual Regiſter.
This nobleman is an adherent to the popular cauſe in the Iriſh Houſe of Lords, and has paid a good deal of attention to the politics of this country. He has ſhewn a Very commendable zeal in the ac⯑quiſition of political and hiſtorical knowledge. In 1774, his Lordſhip was an unſucceſsful candidate with Lord Viſcount Mahon, ſince Earl Stanhope, for the City of Weſtminſter; and, in 1784, he made ſeveral Speeches againſt the Coalition, in the popular meetings of the electors of that city. He took an active and able part, in the Houſe of Lords of Ireland, in the year 1789, upon the oc⯑caſion of the addreſs to the Prince of Wales. His Lordſhip publiſhed, in the year 1782, a Speech in⯑tended to have been ſpoken, on the apellant juriſ⯑diction of the Houſe of Lords of Ireland; and, three years afterward, a pamphlet, entitled, "Im⯑partial Reflections upon the Queſtion for Equaliz⯑ing the Duties upon the Trade between Great Britain and Ireland." He has ſince written, "The Danger of the Political Balance of Europe," a tranſlation from the French of the King of Sweden, which reached a ſecond edition; the Hiſtory of [64] the principal Tranſactions of the Iriſh Parliament, from 1634 to 1666, in two volumes, octavo; the Letters of Themiſtocles, in a duodecimo volume, which were publiſhed originally in a London Newſpaper; the Criſis, a collection of political eſſays, in an octavo volume, which were originally publiſhed in the ſame manner; an excellent hiſto⯑rical Diſſertation upon the Origin, Suſpenſion, and Revival of the Judicature and Independency of the Iriſh Parliament; and impartial Reflections on the preſent Criſis, publiſhed in 1796. A new Ver⯑ſion of Herodotus, by his Lordſhip, has been announced.
An Officer in the Army, highly celebrated for his powers of conviviality. He has written many obſcene Songs, which have been collected in an octavo pamphlet. They abound with more exqui⯑ſite ideas than are often to be found in ſo ſmall a compaſs, and entitle their author to the credit of very uncommon abilities. It is to be lamented, however, that talents ſo ſhining ſhould not have been di⯑rected to nobler purpoſes, than the perverſion of young minds, by the moſt ſtudied and unbluſhing obſcenity. The pamphlet (as was to be expected) has ſeen no leſs than fourteen editions, and could Captain Morris aſcertain the real evil he has done [65] to ſociety by ſuch a publication, it might greatly contribute to tinge, with a browner ſhade, the evening of his life. The higheſt praiſe which the celebrated Thomſon has received, is, that his works contained
This gentleman is an elder brother of the ſubject of the preceeding article, and likewiſe a Captain in the Army. He publiſhed, in 1791, an entertaining volume of Miſcellanies, in proſe and verſe, and, in the year following, a general View of the Life and Writings of the Rev. David Williams, an octavo pamphlet, written in a high ſtrain of panegyric. Since that time he has written, Quaſhy, or the Coal-black Maid, a poetical tale, bearing refer⯑ence to the ſlave trade. Mr. Morris is a member of the Literary Fund, and when Richard III. was acted, by the members, for its benefit, at the Hay⯑market, he undertook to perſonate the tyrant.
Formerly Captain-General, Governor-in-Chief, &c. of the Iſland of St. Vincent, and its depen⯑dencies. Having been reflected upon for certain [66] parts of his conduct in the above capacity, he pub⯑liſhed in 1787, a well-written Narrative of his offi⯑cial Conduct, in an octavo volume.
This gentleman was formerly employed in the tuition of young noblemen and gentlemen. He is an author of many years ſtanding. He has written "The Britiſh Plutarch;" or, lives of illuſtrious perſonages of Great Britain, ſince the acceſſion of Henry VIII. This work was originally printed in twelve, and ſince in ſix, duodecimo volumes. He has alſo written the Univerſal Director, an octavo volume; the Student's Pocket Dictionary, a duo⯑decimo volume; Every Man his own Broker, a duo⯑decimo volume; the Elements of Commerce, Po⯑litics, and Finances, a quarto volume; and a Tran⯑ſlation of Neckar on the Finances of France, which was publiſhed under the patronage of the Marquis of Lanſdown.
A dramatic writer, peculiarly adapted for the age in which he lives. He is a native of Durham, was a cotemporary with Mr. Holman at Soho School, and was deſigned for the Law. With this [67] view he was entered at Lincoln's Inn, but has never been called to the bar. His maiden-offering to the ſtage, was a comic Song in Mr. Reynolds' comedy of Notoriety. He has, ſince that time, written Columbus, an hiſtorical play; the Children in the Wood, a farce; Zorinſki; the Way to get Married; and a Cure for the Heart Ache, come⯑dies. The firſt of theſe pieces was publiſhed in 1792. It is a queer compound, and was vehe⯑mently accuſed, upon its firſt appearance, by Mr. Thelwall, as a ſhameful plagiariſm from an hiſto⯑rical opera, entitled, "The Incas, or the Peruvian Virgin," which he had offered, without ſucceſs, to Mr. Harris, nine months previouſly. Zorinſki has alſo been accuſed as a plagiariſm from Brooke's Guſtavus Vaſa. Mr. Morton's "Cure for the Heart Ache," is, in our opinion, the beſt of his dramatic pieces. They have, many of them, ex⯑perienced conſiderable favour from the public, and have raiſed their author to the character of a very ſucceſsful modern play-writer. As to their abſolute merit, however, we muſt obſerve, that, although they have been approved in an age, in which dra⯑matic compoſition is at a moſt melancholy ebb; in which our plays wear no longer the ſtamp of real life, neither does their colouring ſhew the breathing vivacity of original obſervation; in which the ſtrongeſt effort of dramatic ſatire is, to make an actor who is endowed with particular talents, laugh before his audience at a reigning eccentricity, and [68] not, as formerly, perſonate the character to which it is peculiar; and in which an eternal repitition of ſome contemptible vulgarity, is to ſupply the places of wit and brilliancy: yet, their exiſtence, we muſt hope, is eminently precarious; for ſhould a tolerable taſte ever again favour a Britiſh audi⯑ence, poſterity ſhall with difficulty credit, that ſuch plays were heard, and, with ſtill greater difficulty, that they were applauded.
The author of a very agreable "Eſſay on Ar⯑chery," deſcribing the practice of that art in all ages and nations, which he publiſhed, in an octavo volume, in 1792, a time when archery was the whim of the day.
Phyſician to Chelſea Hoſpital, Member of the College of Phyſicians, London, and of ſeveral fo⯑reign Societies. This gentleman practiſed, ſome time, as ſurgeon, at Kingſton in Jamaica. He wrote, in 1781, "Obſervations on the Dyſentery of the Weſt Indies." His next production was a Treatiſe concerning the Properties and Effects of Coffee, which was firſt publiſhed, in 1785, and [69] has ſeen five editions. He has alſo written a Trea⯑tiſe on tropical Diſeaſes, and on the Climate of the Weſt Indies, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1787. All his publications are highly reſpectable in point of merit.
A Juſtice of the Peace for the City of Weſt-minſter. He publiſhed, in 1794, "Turkiſh Tales," in two duodecimo volumes; and has alſo written, "Anecdotes of Richard Brothers;" Lucifer and Mammon; the Adventures of Timothy Twig, in the manner of the Bath Guide; the Meal-Tub Plot, or Remarks on the Powder Tax; Somerſet Houſe, a viſion; Reflections on Profane and Judi⯑cial Swearing; and the Hermit of Caucaſus, an oriental romance. Mr. Moſer has alſo been a fre⯑quent contributor to the European Magazine. His ſatirical pieces poſſeſs a good deal of humour, and he is, upon the whole, a very entertaining writer.
Surgeon to the Liverpool Lying-in Charity. He publiſhed, in 1781, a uſeful Eſſay on the Manage⯑ment, Nurſing, and Diſeaſes of Children from the Birth, in an octavo volume, which has lately reached [70] a ſecond edition. He alſo publiſhed, in 1784, "A familiar medical Survey of Liverpool," in a duodecimo volume, which did not add to his re⯑putation as an author.
MOUNTMORRES, VISCOUNT.—See Morres.
Brother to Mrs. Chapone, and author of "Ca⯑liſtus, or the Man of Faſhion and Sophronius, or the Country Gentleman," three moſt excellent dia⯑logues, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1768.
Barriſter at Law, and a gentleman who has long been highly and juſtly eſteemed as an elegant Scholar. He was the intimate friend of Dr. Samuel Johnſon, many years previous to his death, and has done real ſervice to the character and memory of that celebrated genius, by becoming the editor of his works and his biographer. He has alſo been honoured with the intimate friendſhip of Mr. Gar⯑rick, Sir Francis Blake Delaval, and Mr. Foote. Mr. Murphy was warmly engaged, at the com⯑mencement of the preſent reign, in the party of the [71] Earl of Bute, and was, upon that account, expoſed to the ridicule of Wilkes and Churchill. Early in life he made an attempt upon the ſtage, and is ſeverely ſatiriſed in the Roſciad, particularly for his ill-ſucceſs in the character of Othello. As an au⯑thor, Mr. Murphy made his firſt appearance in the Gray's-Inn Journal, a periodical paper, begun in 1752, and which was continued for two years. This paper contains many ingenious eſſays, which are collected, in two octavo volumes, in the edition of his works, and was the origin of Mr. Murphy's acquaint⯑ance with Dr. Johnſon. For, being at a friend's houſe in the country, and not diſpoſed to loſe plea⯑ſure for buſineſs, he took up a French Journal Lite⯑raire, and tranſlating ſomething he liked, ſent it to his bookſeller. Time diſcovered that he had tranſlated from the French, a Rambler, which had been taken from the Engliſh without acknowledgement; and his ſubſequent apology to Dr. Johnſon, gave birth to a laſting friendſhip. Mr. Murphy's moſt numer⯑ous pieces, however, are in the dramatic line of compoſition. He began with producing three farces, in 1756, viz. the Apprentice, the Spouter, and the Engliſhman from Paris. The laſt of theſe pieces was only acted one night, and has never reached the preſs. He has, ſince that time, written for the ſtage, the Upholſterer, a farce; the Orphan of China, a tragedy, tranſlated from Voltaire; the Deſert Iſland, a dramatic tale; the Way to Keep Him, and All in the Wrong, comedies; the Old [72] Maid, and the Citizen, farces; No Man's Enemy but his Own, and the School for Guardians, co⯑medies: Zenobia, the Grecian Daughter, and Al⯑zuma, tragedies, of which the firſt is tranſlated from Crebillon; News from Parnaſſus, a prelude; Know your Own Mind, and the Choice, comedies; and Three Weeks after Marriage, a farce. Theſe pieces were printed ſeparately at the time of their firſt appearance, and have ſince been collected in the edition of Mr. Murphy's works, in ſeven oc⯑tavo volumes, publiſhed in 1786. They have, many of them, conſiderable pretenſions to merit. The moſt diſtinguiſhed are, probably, the Grecian Daughter, and Three Weeks after Marriage; which laſt, had been moſt capriciouſly condemned under its firſt title, viz. "What we must All Come To." In the above-mentioned edition of his works is alſo to be found the Rival Siſters, a tragedy, which Mr. Murphy never offered to the ſtage; and ſome ſmal⯑ler Poems, a few of which had been publiſhed ſe⯑parately. Some elegant Tranſlations from the Eng⯑liſh, into Latin verſe, which are given in this edi⯑tion do the higheſt honour to Mr. Murphy's ta⯑lents; among them, the tranſlation of Gray's Elegy is eminently beautiful. The firſt ſpecimen of his ſkill at biographical writing was a copious and moſt entertaining Eſſay on the Life and Genius of Henry Fielding, prefixed to the edition of that author's works, which was publiſhed in 1762. About five years afterward, he publiſhed in a duodecimo volume, [73] a moſt excellent Tranſlation of Marmontel's Beliſa⯑rius. Neither of theſe productions are to be found in the ſeven-volume edition of Mr. Murphy's works. His writings ſince the publication of that edition have been, "Seventeen Hundred and Ninety-one," a poem, in imitation of the thirteenth Satire of Juvenal, of which Johnſon, after giving us his noble imitations of the third and tenth Sa⯑tires, ſaid he wiſhed this Satire alſo was done; an Eſſay on the Life and Genius of Dr. Johnſon, pub⯑liſhed in an octavo volume, in 1792, and prefixed to Mr. Murphy's edition of Dr. Johnſon's Works, in twelve volumes, octavo; and a Tranſlation of the Works of Tacitus, publiſhed in 1793, in four quarto volumes.
As the Biographer of Dr. Johnſon, we feel little heſitation in giving Mr. Murphy the firſt place among the many who have aſpired to that character. His ſhort Eſſay is the production of a writer who has duly weighed, and rightly con⯑ceived, that judicious uniformity of colouring, which, while it gratifies the reader's curioſity, never fails to hold, in its juſt light, the object which it repreſents; and, while we have been diſguſted with the im⯑pertinent prattle which, by ſome writers, has been ſo freely expended upon this virtuous and wiſe, though partial and auſtere character, we find, in this Eſſay, a manlineſs and propriety of conduct, which can always keep up in our minds an intereſt in his behalf, without ever forfeiting the dignity of its [74] object. His opinions upon the writings of his au⯑thor are highly judicious, and moſt honourable to his critical talents, and his edition of Dr. John⯑ſon's Works, clearly entitles him to the ſame place among the Editors of that great character, which we have given him among his biographers. As a Tranſlator of Tacitus, Mr. Murphy will find moſt favour from thoſe who are moſt acquainted with the peril of his ſituation. The celebrated Mr. Gray, in one of his Letters, declares that he found himſelf, after making an attempt, unequal to the taſk of giving Tacitus a becoming dreſs in our language. A better judge than Mr. Gray of ſuch an undertaking, will not eaſily be found. We are ſorry that we can ſay nothing in praiſe of Mr. Murphy's laborious work. The freedom of his tranſlation, appears to us, the leading circumſtance againſt his ſucceſs. But, when we add, that, not⯑withſtanding every licence of this kind, the Engliſh work he has afforded us, is far from an elegant compoſition; can we ſay that he has kept any meaſures with juſtice, in the execution of his taſk? The merit, however, of his original writings, will ſuperſede every unfavourable impreſſion of an un⯑fortunate attempt, and gain his writings a laſting diſtinction among the works of taſte. It is ſaid that he has been for ſome time engaged in writing the Life of his friend Foote. Few are ſo equal to the taſk of doing juſtice to the Engliſh Ariſto⯑phanes.
An Architect of moſt diſtinguiſhed ingenuity, who has publiſhed excellent Deſigns of the Church and Royal Monaſtery of Batalha in Eſtramadura, Portugal, in five imperial folio numbers, of which the firſt appeared in 1792; and a quarto volume of moſt entertaining Travels in Portugal, publiſhed in 1795.
CANON Reſidentiary of Hereford, Chaplain to the Biſhop of Hereford, and late Fellow of Brazen-Noſe College, Oxford. This gentleman has publiſhed a Charity Sermon, preached at Hereford, in 1789; and "Advice to a Student in the Univerſity, concerning the Qualifications and Duties of a Miniſter of the Goſpel, in the Church of England," publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1795, and moſt excellently adapted to its object.
Chaplain to his Royal Highneſs the Duke of York, Aſſiſtant Preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, and a gentleman of diſtinguiſhed worth, learning, and talents. He was educated at Weſtminſter School, and Chriſt-Church College, Oxford. His firſt publication was a moſt ingenious and learned Eſſay on the Demon or Devination of Socrates, publiſhed in an octavo pamphlet, in 1782. Two years after this, he publiſhed "Elements of Orthoepy," in an octavo volume, a work of great judgement and ſtudy, ſingularly acceptable to the lovers of philology. Mr. Nares next wrote, a beauti⯑ful little duodecimo volume of Remarks on the Ballad of Cupid and Pſyche, which was publiſhed in 1788. Since that time, he has written "Principles of Government, deduced from Reaſon, ſupported by Engliſh Experience, and oppoſed to French Errors," an octavo pamphlet, publiſhed in 1792; "Man's beſt Right," a pamphlet, publiſhed the fol⯑lowing year; and an octavo volume of "Diſcourſes," preached before the Hon. Society of Lincoln's Inn, publiſhed in 1794. It is ſaid, that this learned and ingenious gentleman has a principal ſhare in the conduct of the Britiſh Critic.
Rector of St. Peter's in Droitwich, and owner of Bevereye, Worceſterſhire. This gentleman, with an induſtrious and patriotic ſpirit which does him infinite honour, after propoſing to the Society of Antiquaries, to undertake the Hiſtory and Anti⯑quities of Worceſterſhire, and offering without effect, beſide other aſſiſtance, to open a ſubſcription for that purpoſe with three or four hundred pounds, at length, undertook the laborious and expenſive taſk himſelf. In 1781, he publiſhed, vol. I. (in folio) of his valuable "Collections for the Hiſtory of Worceſterſhire;" and completed the work with another volume, in the year following. Dr. Naſh has alſo edited a ſuperb edition of Butler's Hudi⯑bras, with Notes, in three quarto volumes, pub⯑liſhed in 1793.
Rector of Leverington, and formerly Fellow of Corpus-Chriſti College, Cambridge. He publiſhed in 1779, Itineraria Symonis Simeonis, et Willelmi de Worceſtre, from MSS. in the library of the above Society, in an octavo volume, and in 1787, a new edition of Tanner's Notitia Monaſtica, [78] in folio. Beſide theſe works, he lately printed an Aſſize Sermon.
Lady Margaret's Profeſſor in Divinity, in the Univerſity of Oxford. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1765, an octavo volume of Animadverſions on Mr. Phillips' Hiſtory of the Life of Cardinal Pole. He has alſo printed an Act Sermon, and a volume of Sermons, which were preached at Bampton's Lecture, in 1781.
Archbiſhop of Armagh, and Primate of all Ireland. His Grace has been Biſhop of Oſſory, and Biſhop of Waterford, in the above kingdom, and is well known to the friends of ſacred criti⯑ciſm by his learned and well-directed labours. The firſt of theſe was an Harmony of the Goſpels, pub⯑liſhed in a folio volume, in 1778, a work, not leſs eminent for its liberality than its erudition. Two years after this, his Grace publiſhed a duodecimo volume, entitled, "The Duration of our Lord's Miniſtry particularly conſidered," in reply to a Letter from Dr. Prieſtley on that ſubject, prefixed to his Engliſh Harmony of the Evangeliſts. He [79] was engaged, upon this occaſion, in a liberal contro⯑verſy with Dr. Prieſtley, on the above ſubject. Since that time his Grace has written "Obſerva⯑tions on our Lord's Conduct," in a quarto volume, publiſhed in 1782, and which was reprinted in oc⯑tavo, in 1795; an Attempt toward an improved Verſion, &c. of the twelve Minor Prophets, a quarto volume, publiſhed in 1785; an Attempt toward an improved Verſion, &c. of Ezekiel; a Review of the chief Difficulties in the Goſpel Hiſtory, relating to our Lord's Reſurrection, a quarto pamphlet, intended to retract ſome errors in the Greek Harmony; and an hiſtorical View of the Engliſh Biblical Tranſlations, &c. an octavo volume.
Rector of Shenly, Herts. and author of the Hiſtory of the ancient and royal Foundation, called the Abbey of St. Alban, in the County of Hert⯑ford, in two quarto volumes, of which the firſt was publiſhed in 1793.
A German by birth, and a Clergyman of the Church of England. He was formerly of Trinity [80] College, Cambridge, and has publiſhed a Sermon preached twice, in 1780, for the benefit of the Humane Society; a Panegyric of Frederick III. King of Pruſſia, tranſlated from the French of M. Laureau; and "The Love of our Country," a poem, the Dedication to which contains a parallel between the characters of Jeſus Chriſt and the Ducheſs of Devonſhire!!!
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1788, in an octavo volume, "A Tour in England and Scotland, by an Engliſh Gentleman," which was reprinted with great additions, in quarto, in 1791, with the au⯑thor's name, and entitled, "Proſpects and Obſer⯑vations, on a Tour in England and Scotland, Na⯑tural Oeconomical and Literary;" it is a very en⯑tertaining work.
A Methodiſtical Clergyman, Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, Lombard Street. He was originally a Sailor, but was converted by a great ſtorm; of which he has given an account, in a Series of Letters addreſſed to the Rev. Mr. Haweis, publiſhed in a duodecimo volume. His firſt publication was a [81] volume of Sermons, preached at his former C [...]racy of Olney, in Buckinghamſhire, and printed in 1767. He has alſo publiſhed Olney Hymns; a Review of Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory, in an octavo volume; a Faſt Sermon; Omicron's Letters; Cardiphonia, or the Utterance of the Heart, in two volumes, duode⯑cimo; Apologia, a Vindication of the Church of England, which was anſwered by the late Dr. Mayo; a Monument to the Memory of Eliza Cun⯑ningham; fifty expoſitory Diſcourſes on the Scrip⯑tural Paſſages which form the ſubject of Handel's Meſſiah, in two octavo volumes; a Sermon on the King's Recovery; Thoughts on the Slave Trade, an octavo pamphlet; a Sermon preached before the Book Society; and Letters to a Wife, in two volumes, duodecimo.
Fellow and Tutor of Jeſus College, Cambridge, and a character of ſingular eſtimation as an amiable man. He publiſhed, in 1794, a ſhort Treatiſe on the Conic Sections. In this little work the three curves are derived from a general deſcription on a plane, and the elegance and neatneſs, of Mr. New⯑ton's. demonſtrations are worthy the hand of a maſter and an academic, trained in a ſchool, which has been juſtly celebrated for giving, grace to the ab⯑ſtruſeneſs of ſcience.
A celebrated Printer, and Deputy of the Ward of Farringdon-Without. He is a moſt indefatigable Antiquary; but is, perhaps, more to be commended for his induſtry in collecting materials, than for his judgement in diſcriminating their value. His pub⯑lications have been, a Collection of Poems with biographical and hiſtorical Notes, in eight ſmall octavo volumes, of which the firſt four were pub⯑liſhed in 1780; Bibliotheca Topographica Britan⯑nica, in eight volumes, quarto, publiſhed in num⯑bers, of which the firſt appeared in 1780; Biogra⯑phical Anecdotes of Hogarth, in an octavo vo⯑lume; biographical and literary Anecdotes of Wil⯑liam Bowyer, the celebrated Printer (to whom Mr. Nichols had been apprentice, partner, and ſucceſſor), in a quarto volume; the Progreſſes and public Proceſſions of Queen Elizabeth, in two vo⯑lumes, quarto; and the Hiſtory and Antiquities of the County of Leiceſter, to be completed in four volumes, folio, but of which a part only has yet been publiſhed. Mr. Nichols was alſo the editor of Biſhop Atterbury's miſcellaneous Correſpond⯑ences, and of the familiar Correſpondence of Sir Richard Steele. He is the preſent conductor of the Gentleman's Magazine.
A diſtinguiſhed writer on the ſubjects of natu⯑ral philoſophy and chemiſtry. He publiſhed, in 1782, an Introduction to Natural Philoſophy, in two octavo volumes, a work of the popular kind. Since that time, he has publiſhed, a Tranſlation of M. de Fourcroy's Elements of Natural Hiſtory and Chemiſtry; a Supplement to that Work; "The firſt Principles of Chemiſtry," in an octavo volume; "Elements of Chemiſtry," tranſlated from the French of M. Chaptal, in three volumes, octavo; a Dictionary of Chemiſtry, in two volumes, quarto; and a Journal of Natural Philoſophy, Chemiſtry, and the Arts, a periodical publication. We be⯑lieve Mr. Nicholſon was alſo the editor of the Count de Benyowſky's Memoirs, in Engliſh.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1788, four ſelect Evangelical Diſcourſes, and has, ſince that time, written a Letter to Dr. Prieſtley, and Eſſays on the moſt eſſential Theological Subjects contained in the Works of Baron Swedenborg.
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and author of a Treatiſe on Venereal Diſeaſes, publiſhed in 1787; the Clinical Guide, a duodecimo volume, which has reached a ſecond edition; and a Treatiſe on Scrophula and Cancer; both which laſt works have been publiſhed ſince the above date.
The author of an Illuſtration of various import⯑ant Paſſages in the Epiſtles of the New Teſtament, in an octavo volume, which has been favourably received. He has alſo publiſhed, Obſervations on the miraculous Conception of our Saviour; "The Scripture Doctrine concerning the Coming of Chriſt unfolded;" and a Faſt Sermon, preached in March, 1797. Theſe writings diſplay conſiderable merit, and entitle their author to the character of a candid and intelligent critic on ſcripture.
Rector of Barming in Kent, and domeſtic Chaplain to the Earl of Leiceſter. This gentleman is an Antiquarian of ſome diſtinction. He was formerly Rector of Baddeſly-Clinton, and Vicar of Packwood, in Warwickſhire. His firſt publica⯑tion was a quarto volume, containing, two Diſſer⯑tations on the Mint and Coins of the Epiſcopal Palatines of Durham, which appeared in 1780. He has, ſince that time, written, a Genealogical Hiſtory of the Royal Families of Europe, in a duodecimo volume; Memoirs of the Protectorate Houſe of Cromwell, in two octavo volumes; and Memoirs of the illuſtrious Houſe of Medici, in an octavo volume.
Of Lincoln's Inn, Barriſter at Law. This gen⯑tleman publiſhed in 1793, an octavo volume of faithful and clear Reports of Caſes, relating to the Duty and Office of a Juſtice of Peace, from Michaelmas Term, 1791, to the end of Trinity Term, 1792; and, two years afterward, the third edition of Sir John Strange's Reports, in three royal octavo volumes, which contains ſome moſt [86] valuable notes, in italics, ſuppoſed to have been given to the editor by Lord Kenyon.
A gentleman of fortune, and of diſtinction as a ſcho [...]ar. He was educated, we believe, under the tuition of Mr. Gilbert Wakefield. In 1792, he edited the Poem of Tryphiodorus on the taking of Troy, to which he added notes, chiefly philolo⯑gical. Since that time Mr. Northmore has publiſhed, a Tranſlation of Plutarch [...]s Treatiſe upon the Diſ⯑tinction between a Friend and Flatterer, and has intimated a deſign of publiſhing the Original; "A Triplet of Inventions," viz. a nocturnal telegraph, a paſigraphy by means of numbers, and a new anatomical nomenclature; and alſo (we believe) ſome anonymous publications.
Principal of St. Mary Hall, and Regius Profeſſor of Modern Hiſtory in the Univerſity of Oxford. He was principally concerned in the expulſion of ſix Students from Oxford in the year 1768, and publiſhed an Anſwer to the Pietas Oxon⯑ienſis of Sir Richard Hill. He has alſo printed a Sermon preached before the Commons.
THIS gentleman is a native of Ireland, was bred a Surgeon, and is a friend of Meſſrs. Fox and Sheridan. Of the former of theſe celebrated cha⯑racters, he is a warm partiſan. He brought out a comedy at the Haymarket, in 1783, entitled, "A Friend in Need," which was very well received, and occaſioned a newſpaper controverſy between him and Mr. Colman. In 1788, Mr. O'Bryen pub⯑liſhed ſome pretty "Lines written at Twicken⯑ham," in a quarto ſhilling-pamphlet. He has alſo written an ironical pamphlet of conſiderable merit. entitled, a Defence of the Earl of Shelburnn, which was extremely well received; ſome Fugitive Pieces in defence of Mr. Fox's Party; ſeveral oc⯑caſional Political Pamphlets; and lately, upon the publication of Mr. Burke's Thoughts on a Regicide Peace, a pamphlet, entitled, Utrum Horum? the Government; or, the Country. The latter of theſe performances was very generally read, and is one of the beſt pamphlets which have been produced in the courſe of the preſent War.
A gentleman of fortune and family in the king⯑dom of Ireland, and a warm partiſan of democracy. He publiſhed, in 1795, a very well-written Letter to the Earl of Carliſle, occaſioned by his Lordſhip's Reply to Earl Fitzwilliam's Two Letters, in which the adminiſtration of the late Lord-Lieutenant is ably defended. He alſo publiſhed an inflammatory Addreſs to the Inhabitants of Belfaſt, at the very time when they were threatened with an invaſion from the French. He was apprehended and com⯑mitted a cloſe priſoner, on a ſuſpicion of high treaſon.
A native of Scotland. His firſt publication was the Day of judgement, a poem, which has been much admired, and which reached an im⯑proved edition, in the year 1758. He has written ſeveral poems ſince that time, which appeared ſingly, and were collected in two octavo volumes, in 1769 Rona, a poem, is his only poetical pro⯑duction ſince this collection was made. Perhaps, the beſt of theſe pieces are, "The Day of Judge⯑ment" and "Providence," an allegorical poem. [89] Upon the whole, they cannot be ſaid to entitle their author to great diſtinction as a poet. Dr. Ogilvie's remaining works have been, a duodecimo volume of Sermons, publiſhed in 1766; philoſophical and critical Obſervations on Compoſition, in two octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1774; an Enquiry into the Cauſes of the Infidelity and Scepticiſm of the Times, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1783; and the Theology of Plato compared with the Principles of the Oriental and Grecian Philoſophers, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1793. The Eſſay laſt men⯑tioned was written for the Tranſactions of the Edin⯑burgh Royal Society; but a regulation having paſſed, excluding all diſqu [...]ſtions of theology from their records, and the Eſſay having received the ap⯑probation of that body, it was preſented, ſepa⯑rately, to the public.
Chaplain to Lord Forbes, Curate of Egham, and, formerly, Rector of Weſtover Pariſh in Vir⯑ginia. He publiſhed a volume of reſpectable Ser⯑mons, in 1787.
A native of Ireland, and a Surgeon by profeſ⯑ſion. He publiſhed, in 1752, a Treatiſe of the Glaucoma, or Cataract, in an octavo volume, and has, ſince that time, written a Treatiſe on Gan⯑grene and Sphacelus, in an octavo volume; an Introduction to the Study of the Hiſtory and An⯑tiquities of Ireland, in a quarto volume; and a ge⯑neral Hiſtory of Ireland, in two quarto volumes, publiſhed in 1778.
The author of the following farces, viz. Midas; the Golden Pippin; the Two Miſers; April Day; and Tom Thumb, altered from Fielding.
A well-known Dramatic Writer, who has had the misfortune to be blind for ſome years. He is a native of Ireland, was originally deſigned for a painter, and was, for ſome time, a performer upon the Dublin Theatre. Before he came to England, he produced, about 1767, at Smock-Alley Theatre, [91] a farce, entitled, "The She-Gallant," which was afterward altered for Covent Garden Theatre, under the title of the Poſitive Man. His ſecond piece was Tony Lumpkin in Town, a farce, firſt acted at Dublin, and brought out at the Haymarket, in 1778. The chronological liſt of his numerous ſub⯑ſequent pieces, produced at the London Theatres, is as follows, viz. the Son in Law, a farce; the Dead Alive, a farce, from a ſtory in the Arabian Nights; the Agreeable Surpriſe, a farce; the Banditti, a comic opera; the Poſitive Man, a farce; the Caſtle of Andaluſia, altered from the Banditti; Lord Mayor's Day, a ſpeaking Pantomine; the Maid the Miſtreſs, a burletta, from the Italian of La Serva Padrona; the Sham-rock, a comic opera; the Young Quaker, a comedy, one of the principal circumſtances in which was taken from Smollet's Count Fathom; the Birth Day, or the Prince of Arragon; the Poor Soldier, a comic opera, altered from the Sham-rock; Friar Bacon, a pantomine; Peeping Tom, a muſical farce; Fontainbleau, a comic opera; the Blackſmith of Antwerp, a farce; a Beggar on Horſeback, a dramatic proverb; Omai, a pantomine; Love in a Camp, a comic opera; the Siege of Curzola, a comic opera; the Man-Milliner, a farce; the Farmer, a farce; Tantara⯑rara, a farce, from the French; the Priſoner at Large, a farce; a Key to the Lock, a farce; the Highland Reel, a comic romance; the Czar, a comic open; the Little Hunch-Back, a farce; [92] Modern Antiques, a farce; Wild Oats, a comedy; Sprigs of Laurel, a comic opera; the London Her⯑mit, a comedy; the World in a Village, a comedy; Life's Vagaries, a comedy; the Iriſh Mimic, a muſical farce; and the Doldrum, a farce. Some of theſe pieces have been withdrawn from the ſtage, and many of them have continued favour⯑ites with the public. They have all reached the preſs except the Son in Law; and, with a poems, entitled, "Oatlands," which was printed in 1795, conſtitute the liſt of Mr. O'Keefe's publications. As a dramatic writer, this gentleman has, perhaps, for ſome years, croſſed the meridian of his glory, His plays are, for the moſt part, characteriſed by broad humour, without purity of diction or wit of dialogue; and by a neglect of plot, probability, and, often, common-ſenſe. He has, perhaps, con⯑tributed his ſhare to the introduction of that vitiated taſte, in dramatic compoſition, which, at preſent, ſo lamentably prevails. He has contrived, how⯑ever, to pleaſe many, and he who pleaſes many muſt have merit.
A Roman Catholic Clergyman of the kingdom of Ireland. He has been diſtinguiſhed as a friend to freedom, liberality, and toleration▪ and was highly complimented, upon this account, in their [93] public ſpeeches, by Meſſrs. Grattan, Flood, and other celebrated Members of the Iriſh Parliament. His publications have been ſeveral Addreſſes to the Catholics of Ireland; Remarks on Mr. Weſley's Defence of the Proteſtant Aſſociation; a Defence of his Conduct in the Affair of the Inſurrection in Munſter, in 1787; a Review of the important Controverſy between Dr. Carrol, and the Rev. Meſſrs. Wharton and Hawkins; and a Faſt Sermon preached at St. Patrick's Chapel, Soho, March 8th, 1797. A collection has been made of his miſcel⯑laneous tracts, in one volume. The ſtyle of Mr. O'Leary is voluble, bold, and figurative; but it is deficient in grace, manlineſs, perſpicuity, and, ſometimes, grammar. In his controverſy with John Weſley he is generally thought to have been ſucceſsful.
Formerly one of the Servants of the Eaſt India Company, and author of a much admired Hiſtory of the Military Tranſactions of the Britiſh Nation in Hindoſtan, from the year 1745, in two volumes, quarto; the firſt of which was publiſhed in 1763, and the ſecond in 1778. To theſe he added, in 1782, Hiſtorical Fragments of the Mogul Empire, in a duodecimo volume.
A Clergyman of the Church of Scotland. He has written an Appeal to Common Senſe in Behalf of Religion, in two volumes, octavo, the firſt of which was publiſhed in 1766, and the ſecond in 1772. This Appeal, which is in favour of the ce⯑lebrated doctrine of Common Senſe, as it bad been promulgated by himſelf, Dr Thomas Reid, and Dr. James Beattie, was treated with great ſeverity by Dr. Prieſtley, in an Anſwer to the three Scotiſh Doctors. Dr. Oſwald has alſo publiſhed two Ser⯑mons on the Death of the Rev. Robert Lawſon.
This gentleman, a Major in the Army, pub⯑liſhed, in 1795, a quarto volume, entitled, "Per⯑ſian Miſcellanies." The leading object of this work is to facilitate the reading of Perſian MSS▪ by familiarizing a variety of ſpecimens, en⯑graven after different hand-writings, wherein the more uſual variations and imperfections of form, to which the ſeveral characters are liable, and the different contractions which the ſcribes have found it convenient to adopt, repeatedly occur. It abounds, with very curious, pleaſing, and learned informa⯑tion. [95] Major Ouſely has alſo publiſhed, Nos. I. and II. of "Oriental Collections," in quarto, a miſ⯑cellaneous publication, intended to promote and fa⯑cilitate the ſtudy of Oriental Literature. Four num⯑bers of this work are to appear annually, if the plan ſhall be approved of.
This gentleman was one of the editors of BARDDONIAETH DAFYDD AB GWILYM, pub⯑liſhed in an octavo volume, in 1792. He has alſo publiſhed the Heroic Elegies and other Pieces of Llywarc Hen, Prince of the Cumbrian Britons, with a literal Tranſlation, in an octavo volume; and a valuable Welſh and Engliſh Dictionary, in three parts, octavo.
Late Fellow of Corpus Chriſti College, Cam⯑bridge. He publiſhed, in 1794, a political pam⯑phlet, entitled, the Retroſpect; and has alſo pub⯑liſhed a few occaſional ſingle Sermons, and two entertaining, and well-written, octavo volumes of Travels into different Parts of Europe. As a writer Mr. Owen is entitled to the credit of conſiderable [96] elegance and taſte, but he has likewiſe, unfortu⯑nately, an unſeemly tinge of affectation.
A CLERK in the Bank, and author of "A Lay⯑man's Proteſt againſt Paine's Age of Reaſon."
This notorious character was born in 1737, at Thetford in Norfolk. His father was a ſtay-maker, he was himſelf brought up to that profeſſion, and exerciſed it during his youth, at London, Dover, and Sandwich. He afterward turned Exciſeman and Grocer, at Lewes in Suſſex; and, upon the occaſion of an election at Shoreham, in 1771, the poets of Lewes being called upon, by the candi⯑date of faireſt pretenſions, to furniſh an election [97] ſong, Paine entered the liſts, obtained the laurel and was preſented with three guineas. This, we believe, was his firſt public appearance as an au⯑thor. in the year following, a deſign having been formed by the exciſe officers throughout the king⯑dom to apply to Parliament for a conſideration of the ſtate of their ſalaries, he wrote their caſe, in an octavo pamphlet of twenty-one pages, which was republiſhed in London a few years ago. Having been diſcovered, as a grocer to deal in exciſeable articles, and as a grinder of ſnuff to buy ſmuggled tobacco, he was diſmiſſed from the exciſe in 1774, after twelve years ſervice. In the mean time, Paine, by his Caſe of the Exciſemen, and by his plauſibility of manner, had attracted the notice of the late Mr. George Lewis Scott, commiſſioner of exciſe. This gentleman recommended him ſtrongly to the cele⯑brated Dr. Benjamin Franklin, as a perſon who could be ſerviceable, at that time, in America; and Paine ſet ſail for Pennſylvania, in September, 1774, upon a letter of introduction to Governor Franklin of the Jerſeys. It was two years after this, that he attracted great notice by the publication of his pamphlet, entitled, "Common Senſe." De⯑ſigned as this production was, to ridicule and expoſe the abſurdity of monarchical Government, it proved highly palatable to the republican taſte of the United States. It has been called one of thoſe few literary performances, which have been known to produce a great and ſudden effect upon the ſenti⯑ments [98] and conduct of a nation; and, having been publiſhed at a very critical period, the commence⯑ment of the American war, ſerved more than any thing elſe to induce the inhabitants of that country to an immediate declaration of independence. At the latter end of the ſame year (1776) he began to publiſh, in the Pennſylvania Journal, "The Criſis," a periodical eſſay, which appeared as often, during the continuance of hoſtilities, as his idea of the ſtate of affairs required. The congreſs, at firſt, managed their European concerns by a committee for ſecret correſpondence, but their demands for European aid becoming more urgent, the Secret Committee was converted into a Committee for Foreign Affairs. Paine, who was now becoming a celebrated character in the United States, was ap⯑pointed Secretary to this Committee, but being de⯑tected in retailing through the newſpapers what he confidentially knew from the foreign correſpond⯑ence, he was forced to reſign that office. Soon after this, he obtained the degree of M. A. from the Univerſity of Pennſylvania, was choſen a Member of the American Philoſophical Society; and, when the Congreſs had rejected him as unworthy of truſt, the Aſſembly of Pennſylvania, which had been purged of Quakers by his pen, thought him fit for its Clerk. In 1782, he printed at Philadelphia, a Letter to the Abbé Raynal on the Affairs of North America, in which he undertook to correct and clear up the miſ⯑takes in the Abbé's Account of the Revolution. A [99] little later in the ſame year, and at the ſame place, he alſo printed, a Letter to the Earl of Shelburne, on his Speech in Parliament, July 10th, 1782, in which the noble Earl had ſaid, that, ‘When Great Bri⯑tain ſhall acknowledge American Independence, the ſun of Britain's glory is ſet for ever.’ Both of theſe Letters were, ſhortly afterward, reprinted in London. In the Autumn of 1786, Paine left America, with the intention of going to France, and arrived at Paris early in 1787, having left no great ſhare of popularity behind him. His ſtay here was ſhort, and he reached London in the Au⯑tumn of the ſame year. Before the concluſion of 1787, he publiſhed a pamphlet upon the recent tranſactions between Great Britain and Holland, entitled, "Proſpects on the Rubicon," in which he cenſured the meaſures of the Engliſh Adminiſtra⯑tion.
We come now to that period in Paine's Hiſtory, when his ſpeculations were to ſhake the fabric of the public mind to its very foundation, and his writings to infuſe a poiſon among a deluded com⯑monalty, the effects of which, to a philoſopher in the ſhade, would have been ſcarcely credible. Being releaſed, in November, 1789, from a ſponging⯑houſe, into which a debt, contracted by the pro⯑ject of erecting an Iron Bridge, had brought him; he beheld, with delight, the proceedings of that memorable year in France, and haſtened to that country. Soon, however, he recroſſed the channel, [100] and, in his road to London, encountered Mr. Burke's far-famed pamphlet, which appeared a few days before the celebration of the French Revolu⯑tion, November 5th, 1790. A few months la⯑bour produced Part I. of the "Rights of Man." It was ſubmitted to the reviſal of Mr. Brand Hollis and a democratic Committee; and, after ſome ſtruggles, between the deſires of the author and the wiſhes of his patrons, was committed by them to the preſs. In February 1791, it was printed for Johnſon, in St. Paul's Church Yard, but his re⯑gard for the credit of his ſhop, induced him to de⯑cline the ſale, and a delay of a month in the pub⯑lication thus took place. A few copies were, how⯑ever, ſmuggled into private hands, and, at length, on the 13th of March, 1791, it was publiſhed by Jordan, in Fleet Street, with a Dedication to Ge⯑neral Waſhington. The apprehenſions of Paine, upon this occaſion, ſeem to have been very great. Always ready to take wing for France, he fluttered with anxiety about the Metropolis. At length, finding that the Miniſtry, truſting to the good ſenſe of the people, gave itſelf no concern about him, he took a lodging in Fetter Lane, (where he re⯑mained till his final departure) and immediately went to work at Part II. of the "Rights of Man." This was publiſhed by Jordan, early in 1792. It is well known that the Jacobin Societies took the utmoſt pains to diſtribute cheap editions of this work, over the whole nation, particularly in ma⯑nufactories, [101] and among the labouring poor. It is even ſaid, that tobacco, grocery, and ſweet-meats for children, were frequently ſold in wrappers of its ſheets! Many Anſwers to the two Parts were pro⯑duced at the preſs, and at the anniverſary meeting of the Conſtitutional Society, on the 13th of April, 1792, the Members of theſe Jacobin Societies were ſtated to exceed forty thouſand perſons! Go⯑vernment, at length, became alarmed. Proſecu⯑tions were commemced, in May, 1792, againſt Paine, as the author, and Jordan as the publiſher of "Rights of Man." The royal proclamation was iſſued, ſtating that ſeditious writings had been induſtriouſly diſperſed for inciting diſcontent, and warning all magiſtrates to be diligent in ſuppreſ⯑ſing tumult and preſerving quiet. Both Houſes of Parliament declared their abhorrence of writings, which had anarchy for their end, and proclaimed their unalterable reſolution to maintain the autho⯑rity of the laws. The City of London avowed her loyalty to the King, and her attachment to the conſtitution. The other corporations followed the example of the metropolis; and the county-meet⯑ings joined in the general abhorrence of innovation, and in the univerſal determination to ſupport the wiſe ſyſtem of policy, which had been tranſmitted by the wiſdom of their anceſtors. Paine was now employed in writing thoſe Letters for the ARGUS, which were afterward diſtributed from the pam⯑phlet-ſhops under the title of "Paine's four Letters [102] on Government." Shortly afterward, he produced a pamphlet, conſiſting of two Letters to Lord On⯑ſlow, and one to Mr. Dundas; and another pam⯑phlet, containing, "A Letter to the Addreſſers on the late Proclamation," the great object of which was, to procure a National Convention in contempt of the Parliament. He was, at the ſame time, readily adopted as a proper citizen, by a country which had recently plunged into the depths of anarchy; and, when the Jacobin Clubs were about to form a Convention at Paris of turbulent ſpirits from every quarter of the world, ſeveral de⯑partments contended for the honour of being re⯑preſented by the celebrated Thomas Paine. Ca⯑lais bore away the glorious prize from all her competi⯑tors, and ſhe ſent citizen Audibert to ſignify his ap⯑pointment, and to ſolicit his acceptance of it. He required little ſolicitation; and quitting London on the 13th of September, 1792, was received with open arms on the following day, on the ſhores of Calais. He was tried by a ſpecial jury at Guildhall, and convicted as a malignant libeller; and, ſoon afterward, his effigy and his books were burned in almoſt every village in England. His conviction made him an outlaw, and, having joined the Con⯑vention at Paris, in a declaration of war againſt Great Britain, he has, ſince that time, become a traitor. Amid the changes of Government in France, Paine did not eſcape notice, and when Robeſpierre began to gain an aſcendancy, he was [103] ſent, with Anacharſis Cloots, to the priſon at Lux⯑emburg. He, however, eſcaped the Guillotine, and during his confinement, compoſed his work, entitled, "The Age of Reaſon," Part I. of which was publiſhed in London, in 1794, and Part II. in the year following. This work naturally produced ſeveral Anſwers at the preſs, among which the "Apology for the Bible," by the Biſhop of Lan⯑daff, is to be moſt eminently diſtinguiſhed. Paine's ſubſequent writings have been, a Diſſertation on the firſt Principles of Government; "The De⯑cline and Fall of the Engliſh Syſtem of Finance;" a moſt impudent Letter to General Waſhington; and "Agrarian Juſtice oppoſed to Agrarian Law and to Agrarian Monopoly," all pamphlets.
The abuſe which has been ſo liberally beſtowed upon Paine, as a writer, has, perhaps, for the moſt part, been the reſult of a zeal whoſe tendency is to weaken, more than to ſupport, its cauſe. Let us ra⯑ther allow him, the qualified credit of an animated, energetic writer, who diſplays conſiderable acute⯑neſs but whoſe manner of thinking is rude, wicked and daring, and whoſe language is vulgar though impreſſive. Let us rather rejoice, that Engliſhmen, with their juſt veneration for civil liberty and the rights of the people, were found ſo wiſe and ſted⯑faſt in an hour of danger, as to deſpiſe thoſe ſorry calculators, that would perſuade a country, whoſe conſtitution has raiſed her to be the envy of all the civilized world, to hazard that conſtitution upon [104] the groſſeſt, clumſieſt, and ſtaleſt theories. Let us be thankful that the Arch-theoriſt of the Rights of Man, of thoſe rights which transfer the reins from his paſſion to his reaſon, of thoſe rights which diſſolve ties, which confound diſtinctions, which deſtroy ſecurity, could play upon us with his new lights upon human governments, without dazzling our reaſon, or impairing our eye-ſight. Finally let us rejoice, that when this wily and audacious Anarch dared, at laſt, to attack the ſacred volume of our Reli⯑gion, there was found, on our bench of Biſhops a learned and philoſophical Prelate, condeſcending enough and active enough to oppoſe them nobly and completely, by his erudition, his clearneſs, and his ſtrength of argument.
Archdeacon of Carliſle, &c. A moſt venerable and diſtinguiſhed character as a ſound Reaſoner, a well-read Scholar, and an excellent Divine. He was educated at Chriſt's College, Cambridge, took his degree of Batchelor of Arts, with great diſtinction, in 1763, and afterward, became tutor of the above ſociety. His works have experienced that brilliant ſucceſs to which their very extraordinary value entitles them. The first of them (excepting ſingle Sermons) was his highly celebrated "Prin⯑ciples of Moral and Political Philoſophy," which [105] was firſt publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1785, and has ſince been very frequently reprinted, with cor⯑rections and improvements, in two octavo volumes. It is hardly poſſible to ſay too much in favour of this treatiſe. The ripeſt ſchoolman may read it with inſtruction and delight, while it contains amuſe⯑ment for the moſt volatile fancy. It has obtained its author one diſtinction among others, ſingularly glorious, and, moſt probably, unparallelled. We mean the circumſtance of its chapters, being very frequently ſubjects for diſputation in the Schools of one of our Univerſities, at the ſame time with ſections of the immortal Principia of Newton, or with chapters of the celebrated Eſſay of Locke. Thus the diſtinguiſhed honours which ſuch tran⯑ſcendent characters are proud to receive after death, are conferred on Dr. Paley while alive! The ſtyle of this work is admirably adapted to its ſubject, and is, perhaps, one of the beſt models for the imitation of youth, which can be found in our language; while the fine reaſoning, the pertinency of illuſtration, the ſtrong integrity of judgement, and the great comprehenſion of mind which per⯑vade it, may be fit objects of its emulation, provided it duly eſtimate the labour of thought, and application neceſſary to ſuch acquiſitions, and form not, after all, too ſanguine hopes of reaching ſuch perfection. Some Remarks upon this work have been written by Mr. Giſborne, for an account of which, we refer the reader to our memoir of [106] that gentleman. Beſide this production. Dr. Paley has publiſhed ſeveral ſingle Sermons, preached on particular occaſions and before the Univerſity of Cambridge; "Horae Paulinae; or, the Truth of the Scripture Hiſtory of St. Paul evinced, by a Compariſon of the Epiſtles which bear his Name, with the Acts of the Apoſtles, and with one ano⯑ther," publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1790; and "A View of the Evidences of Chriſtianity," in three volumes, octavo, publiſhed in 1794. All theſe productions are worthy of the celebrated au⯑thor of "Principles of Moral and Political Philo⯑ſophy." The laſt of them, in particular, has ex⯑perienced a moſt diſtinguiſhed reception. It bears in every page, the ſtrongeſt characteriſtic touches of its able and excellent writer. It is the moſt com⯑plete ſummary of the evidences of Chriſtianity, that has ever appeared. It is a work moſt eſſen⯑tial and uſeful to his fellow-creatures, and muſt be acceptable in the ſight of his God.
An Unitarian Miniſter, formerly Paſtor of a congregation at Dundee, and Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge. He was tried and found guilty, in 1793, before a Circuit-Court of Juſticiary at Perth, of writing and publiſhing a ſeditious Paper, and was ſentenced to a ſeven years tranſ⯑portation [107] to New South Wales, where he now is. He was ſoon afterward deprived of the above fel⯑lowſhip. Mr. Palmer publiſhed, in 1792, "An Attempt to refute a Sermon by H. D. Inglis," in which he is a zealous advocate for the Unitarian doctrine, concerning the perſon of Chriſt. He, not long ago, tranſmitted a manuſcript Account of his ſevere Sufferings during his Voyage to New South Wales, which was publiſhed in 1797, by Jeremiah Joyce, who was a ſtate priſoner in the Tower, and preceptor in the family of Earl Stanhope.
A Diſſenting Miniſter of Hackney whoſe learn⯑ing is leſs conſpicuous than his pedantry. He has publiſhed a good many ſingle Sermons; an octavo volume of Family Prayers; the Nonconformiſt's Memorial adridged from Dr. Calamy, in two large octavo volumes; "Reaſons why I am a Diſſenter;" the Proteſtant Diſſenters Catechiſm, which has been ably anſwered by Dr. Smith, reader at the Tem⯑ple; a volume of Mr. Matthew Henry's Sermons; a Life of Dr. Iſaac Watts, intended to prove that his laſt ſentiments on the Trinity were conform⯑able to the orthodox creed; a Letter to the Arch⯑deacon of St. Alban; a Vindication of the Mo⯑dern Diſſenters; an Appendix to Dr. Johnſon's Life of Watts; and a duodecimo volume of Diſcourſes on Truth.
PALMERSTONE, VISCOUNT LORD. —See Temple.
Of Lincoln's Inn, Barriſter at Law. Author of an excellent Syſtem of the Law of Marine In⯑ſurance, in a royal octavo volume, which was firſt publiſhed in 1787, and reached a third edition in 1796.
Author of a volume of Sonnets and other ſmall Poems of much merit, publiſhed in a duodecimo volume, in 1797, by the counſel of Mr. Cowper, and with the comments of Miſs Seward.
Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majeſty, and Rec⯑tor of St. James' Weſtminſter. This reſpectable divine was one among the many able champions, who, many years ago, defended the eſtabliſhment againſt the attacks of Bolingbroke, Morgan, Mid⯑dleton, &c. He was educated at the Univerſity [109] of Oxford, was made Chaplain to Dr. Oſbaldeſton, a late Biſhop of London, and obtained the above Rectory by his preſentation. He publiſhed many ſingle Sermons in the earlier part of his life, the two firſt of which appeared in 1749. Theſe Diſ⯑courſes, and two Pieces on the old and new Style, were collected, and reprinted in two octavo vo⯑lumes, in 1792.
Solicitor. Author of an Analyſis of the Practice of the Court of Chancery, publiſhed in an octavo pamphlet, in 1794, and editor of the eighth edition of Harriſon's Practice of the Court of Chan⯑cery, in two volumes, octavo, publiſhed in 1796, to which he added much valuable matter.
Formerly Fellow of Clare-Hall, Cambridge, and the celebrated author of the beſt Hebrew-Engliſh Lexicon in exiſtence. The firſt edition of this valuable work made its appearance in 1762; the ſecond was publiſhed with conſiderable en⯑largements and improvements, in 1778; and the third, ſtill farther enlarged and improved, in 1793. Mr. Parkhurſt has alſo written, "A ſerious and [110] friendly Addreſs to Mr. John Weſley," which was his firſt publication, and appeared in 1753; a Greek and Engliſh Lexicon to the New Teſta⯑ment, a very valuable work, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1769; and "The Divinity and Pre-Ex⯑iſtence of our Saviour demonſtrated from Scripture," an anſwer to Prieſtley and Wakefield, publiſhed in an octavo pamphlet, in 1787.
Late Fellow and Tutor of Chriſt's College, Cambridge. This gentleman was a cotemporary at the Univerſity with the celebrated mathematician, Mr. Atwood. They both took their degrees of B. A. in 1769, and to Mr. Parkinſon was adjudged the ſuperiority in mathematical knowledge. The world, however, from the ſpecimens which each of theſe gentlemen have given it, as writers on ſubjects of ſcience, will be diſpoſed to wonder at this deciſion. Dr. Parkinſon publiſhed, in 1789, in a quarto volume, a Syſtem of Mechanics and Hydroſtatics, the ſubſtance of his lectures as a pub⯑lic tutor. Of this work we do not ſcruple to de⯑clare that it is one of the clumſieſt which has ever come from the hands of an able proficient in natural philoſophy, who has attempted to facilitate the progreſs of the Student, by a ſelection from the works of others▪ It is a diſgraceful ſpecimen of [111] the proficiency of an Univerſity, who prides herſelf on poliſhing the abſtruſeneſs of ſcience, and uniting in her ſtudies an elegance with a profundity of re⯑ſearch. It is of a character ſo coarſe and rugged, and of a bulk ſo unneceſſarily huge, as to frighten rather than encourage the ſtudent. Finally, it is the work of a writer, whoſe elegance of thought, whoſe juſtneſs of conception, whoſe perſpicuity of arrangement, and whoſe beauty of operation, can in no wiſe be compared, with the maſterly ſpeci⯑mens of the union of all theſe excellencies which have been afforded us by Mr. Atwood. Beſide this work, Dr. Parkinſon has publiſhed two ſingle Sermons.
A moſt elegant and profound Scholar, very highly celebrated for his knowledge of the Greek language. He was originally one of the under⯑maſters of Harrow School, and in that ſituation had the honour of ſharing in the education, among others, of Mr. Richard Brinſley Sheridan. Upon a vacancy in the headmaſterſhip, in 1770, Dr. Parr became a candidate for that office, and his cauſe was ſo warmly, eſpouſed by many of the boys of the ſchool, as to occaſion very turbulent proceed⯑ings. Proving unſucceſsful, he retired to a village at a ſmall diſtance from Harrow, and opened a [112] ſchool, to which he was followed by many of the Harrow ſcholars. Dr. Parr was afterward ap⯑pointed, by the Earl of Dartmouth, to ſuperintend the education of his eldeſt ſon, Lord Viſcount Lewiſham, in conſequence of which he reſigned his ſchool, and fixed his reſidence at Colcheſter, where he was attended by his Lordſhip, and one or two more pupils. At the expiration of this engage⯑ment, he was choſen Maſter of the Free School at Norwich, which he conducted with great repu⯑tation, and has now been ſettled, for ſome years, in the neighbourhood of Warwick, in the occupa⯑tion of educating private pupils.
Dr. Parr's firſt publications were, Sermons preached at Norwich during the American war. Of theſe, two appeared with his name in 1780, and a third, a Faſt Sermon, under the name Phileleuthe⯑rus Norfolcienſis, in the year following. The laſt of theſe is particularly excellent. In 1786, he pub⯑liſhed a fourth Sermon, preached for the benefit of the Charity Schools in Norwich. It was in the year following this, that he publiſhed a new edition, in an octavo volume, of the three Books De Statu of Bellendenus, (Maſter of the Pleas to James I.) and prefixed a moſt elegant Preface. Few pieces of compoſition in Latin, have been more admired than this maſterly preface. It was reprinted, ſeparately, in the year following its firſt publication. It con⯑ſists chiefly of a political retroſpect of the internal tranſactions of Britain, ſince the year 1783, and [113] preſents us an animated panegyric of Lord North, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Fox, with a glowing invective againſt the methods employed to deprive them of the ſhare they held in the Government of their country. The Latin, as well as the Engliſh ſtyle of Dr. Parr, is always ſtrong, manly, and beautiful, but, perhaps, it poſſeſſes, upon the whole, leſs of grace and elegance than of energy. In 1789, Dr. Parr publiſhed "Tracts by Warburton and a War⯑burtonian, not admitted into the Collection of their reſpective Works," in an octavo volume. Almoſt every reader will condemn the poignancy of lan⯑guage, which is uſed in the preface to this volume, againſt the venerable Biſhop of Worceſter, while he will confeſs, with pleaſure, that the characters of Jortin, Leland, and Warburton are amply and beautifully delineated. In the year 1792, Dr. Parr publiſhed an octavo pamphlet, entitled, "A Sequel to the printed Paper lately circulated in Warwick⯑ſhire, by the Rev. Charles Curtis, brother of Alder⯑man Curtis, a Birmingham Rector, &c." which reached a ſecond edition. This was occaſioned by a ſuſpicion, that Mr. Curtis had written certain ano⯑nymous Letters, which were ſent to the Doctor; that he had uttered certain reflections upon him, in his pulpit diſcourſes; and that he had ſent the printed paper, which appeared (auctior et emendatior) in an evening Newſpaper. The ſame year pro⯑duced Dr. Parr's celebrated and excellent Letter from Irenopolis to the Inhabitants of Eleutheropolis, [114] which is a ſerious addreſs to the diſſenters of Birm⯑ingham, written, in conſequence of a report that they intended a ſecond commemoration of the French Revolution, and was publiſhed in a ſhilling pamphlet. For an account of Dr. Parr's literary aſſociation with the late Mr. Homer and Dr. Combe, relative to the publication of an Edition of Horace, we refer the reader to our memoir of the laſt-mentioned gentleman; where he will alſo ſee the occaſion which produced Dr. Parr's excellent pamphlet, entitled, "Remarks on the Statement of Dr. Charles Combe, by an occaſional Writer in the Britiſh Critic."
It may very reaſonably be queſtioned whether the ſervices which Dr. Parr has done to the world have been adequate to his ability, or his knowledge. Much is to be allowed, however, for that want of leiſure and opportunity which every man of letters muſt feel, whole conſtant and neceſſary occupation is the inſtruction of youth. To the character of a profound ſcholar, though the printed teſtimonies he has afforded us may have been ſlender, none ſhall dare to diſpute his claim; and were our re⯑maining poſſeſſions of Greek and Latin authors to ſhare the fate of the celebrated Alexandrian Li⯑brary, we believe, that this gigantic proficient could afford us, from recollection, a very tolerable idea of Grecian and Roman literature. Of the Engliſh ſtyle of Dr. Parr it has been ſaid, that it unites the ſtrength of Johnſon with the richneſs of Burke.
This gentleman was one of the gleaners of laurels on the banks of the Arno, who ſome years ago publiſhed, in aſſociation, the Florence Miſcel⯑lany (vide Merry or Piozzi). He has alſo writ⯑ten, an Ode to a Boy at Eton (Mr. Greathead, jun.), intended to counteract the gloomy conclu⯑ſions of Mr. Gray's well-known Ode on that ſub⯑ject, which, with three Sonnets and one Epigram, was publiſhed in a quarto pamphlet, in 1796. Mr. Parſons was alſo, we believe, a contributor to the "Poetry of the World." He has received a ſevere and, we confeſs, not an undeſerved chaſtiſe⯑ment, from Mr. Gifford the author of the Baviad and the Maeviad; and, by way of retort courteous, has ſhot many pins and needles from the newſ⯑papers, at the javelin-proof armour of that hero.
Miniſter of Wye in Kent. He publiſhed, in 1794, in a quarto volume, "Monuments and Painted Glaſs of upward of one hundred Churches, chiefly in the Eaſtern Part of Kent;" and, in the year following, an admirable Diſcourſe, preached at the funeral of the late Alderman Sawbridge. [116] Mr. Parſons, previouſly to theſe publications, had written Dialogues between the Dead and the Living; and ſix Letters to a Friend, on the Eſta⯑bliſhment of Sunday Schools.
Vicar of Wellington in the county of Hereford, and author of Eſſays on Education, publiſhed in a duodecimo volume, in 1797, which had appeared, ſeparately, ſome years ago.
A widow, who was reduced from a ſtate of afflu⯑ence to the hard neceſſity of writing, to provide for a numerous family. She publiſhed, in 1790, "The Hiſtory of Miſs Meredith," in two duode⯑cimo volumes; and has alſo written, "The Errors of Innocence;" "Ellen and Julia;" "Lucy;" "The Voluntary Exile;" and "The Girl of the Mountains," novels, all of which are very reſpect⯑able performances; and the Intrigues of a Morn⯑ing, a farce.
PASQUIN, ANTHONY.—See John Williams.
A Captain in the Army, and Aſſiſtant to the Quarter-maſter-general of his Majeſty's Forces. He is author of a well-known Book of Roads, in an octavo volume, which made its firſt appearance in 1771, has ſince ſeen many editions, and has ex⯑perienced that encouragement, to which ſuch a la⯑borious work was entitled. He has alſo publiſhed a Travelling Dictionary, in an octavo volume, and the Britiſh Itinerary, in two duodecimo volumes.
This writer has aſſumed the names, George Au⯑guſtus Hervey, William Frederic Melmoth, &c. Under the firſt of theſe, he publiſhed, ſome years ago, a Naval, Commercial and General Hiſtory of Great Britain, in five octavo volumes. He has alſo written a Syſtem of Geography; an Epitome of Hiſtory, in two octavo volumes, of which the firſt appeared in 1794; and Geographical Extracts, in an octavo volume, publiſhed in 1796. The two laſt of theſe works appeared in his own name, and they all en⯑title him to the character of an induſtrious and in⯑genious compiler.
Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a gentleman of very ſuperior abilities and attain⯑ments. He publiſhed, in 1794, a moſt excellent pamphlet, entitled, "Conſiderations on the Struc⯑ture of the Houſe of Commons, &c." with which the Biſhop of London was ſo much pleaſed, that he appointed him a Whitehall Preacher upon the firſt ſubſequent opportunity. Mr. Peacock was en⯑gaged, not long ago, in a kind of controverſy with the Critical Reviewers, which was occaſioned by ſome ſevere ſtrictures paſſed by them upon a Syſtem of Algebra, publiſhed by his friend Mr. Wood, of St. John's College, Cambridge.
A Novel-writer of ſome merit. She publiſhed, in 1786, (being then very young) an allegory, entitled, "The Adventures of the ſix Princeſſes of Babylon, in their Travels to the Temple of Vir⯑tue." Since that time, ſhe has written, "The Knight of the Roſe," an allegorical narrative; the Juvenile Magazine; "The Viſit for a Week," deſigned for youth; and " Ambroſe and Eleanor," [119] tranſlated from the French. All of her publications have been anonymous.
Of Lincoln's Inn. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1795, in a royal octavo volume, Caſes deter⯑mined at Niſi Prius, in the Court of King's Bench, from the ſittings after Eaſter Term, 30 Geo. III. to the ſittings after Michaelmas Term, 35 Geo. III. both incluſive. Theſe Caſes are ſo extremely well reported, that they may be conſidered as models.
A Dramatic Writer, who has experienced to⯑lerable ſucceſs. His moſt diſtinguiſhed piece is Hartford Bridge, an operatic farce, which was very well received, and publiſhed in 1793. In the ſame year he publiſhed, the Midnight Wanderers, a co⯑mic opera, in two acts; and has ſince publiſhed, Netley Abbey, an operatic farce; Arrived at Port⯑ſmouth! an operatic drama, in two acts, (occa⯑ſioned by Lord Howe's Victory); and Windſor Caſtle, an opera, in honour of the Prince of Wales' Marriage. The poetical talents of Mr. Pearce are, by no means, contemptible.
Member of the Royal College of Phyſicians, London. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1784, two octavo volumes of Obſervations and Experiments for inveſtigating the Chemical Hiſtory of the tepid Springs of Buxton, &c. The occaſion of this pub⯑lication was the diſcovery of an error in the com⯑mon opinion, concerning the nature of a kind of air or permanent vapour, that impregnates the tepid waters of Buxton, on which their peculiar efficacy in diſeaſes was believed principally to depend. In the year following, Dr. Pearſon publiſhed, Direc⯑tions for impregnating the Buxton Water with its own and other Gaſes, in an octavo pamphlet; and, in 1794, a Tranſlation of the Table of Chemical Nomenclature, propoſed by De Guyton (formerly de Morveau), Lavoiſier, Bertholet, and De Four⯑croy, in a quarto volume. Dr. Pearſon is well known, as a judicious and uſeful writer.
Surgeon to the Lock Hoſpital. He publiſhed in 1787, Part I. of Principles of Surgery for the Uſe of chirurgical Students, in an octavo volume, which was primarily deſigned as a text-book for [121] the attendants of his ſurgical lectures; and in 1793, an octavo pamphlet of Practical Obſervations on Cancerous Complaints.
Fellow and Tutor of Sidney Suſſex College, Cambridge. This gentleman gained the Norriſian Prize, in the Univerſity, in the year 1786, for an Eſſay on the Goodneſs of God, as manifeſted in the Miſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, which was publiſhed in purſuance of the will of the founder. He has alſo publiſhed ſeveral excellent ſingle Sermons, moſt of which were delivered before the Univerſity.
This lady publiſhed, by ſubſcription, in 1790, "Poems" in a quarto pamphlet, which poſſeſs ſome merit. She has ſince that time written, the Medallion, a novel, in three duodecimo volumes.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1788, "The Ge⯑neration of Animal Heat inveſtigated," an octavo pamphlet; and has, ſince that time, written an [122] octavo volume on the Elementary Principles of Na⯑ture; a pamphlet on Electricity; a pamphlet on the Properties of Matter, the Principles of Che⯑miſtry, &c.; a pamphlet on Electric Atmoſpheres; an octavo volume, entitled, "The Antiphlogiſtic Doctrine of M. Lavoiſier critically examined, and demonſtratively confuted;" and an octavo volume on the Compoſition and Properties of Water. Dr. Peart was, ſome time ago, engaged in a controverſy with Mr. Read of Knightſbridge, on the ſubject of Electricity. In all of his writings he has adhered to a philoſophy of his own; contriving and modifying, with much ingenuity, three ſimple elementary ſub⯑ſtances, one ſolid and two fluid, ſo as to account for all poſſible phenomena. Moſt readers, however, will, perhaps, be diſpoſed to allow him more credit for the ingenuity, than for the ſolidity, of his principles.
Dean of Peterborough and Maſter of Magdalen College, Cambridge. This venerable divine, has uniformly ſhewn himſelf a zealous advocate for to⯑leration and liberty. He publiſhed, in the year 1753, a Sermon, preached at Huntingdon, in fa⯑vour of the Bill for Naturalizing the Jews, and alſo a Sermon on Civil and Religious Liberty. Some time after this, he had a controverſy with [123] Mr. Caleb Fleming, on the Materiality of the Soul, and wrote, in 1759, Obſervations on his Survey of the Search after Souls. Dr. Peckard has, ſince that time, publiſhed ſeveral occaſional ſingle Ser⯑mons, in ſome of which he has been loud in his cenſures upon the Slave-trade; a Diſſertation on Revelations xi. 13; and Memoirs of the Life of Mr. Nicholas Ferrar (his relation by marriage, and a celebrated aſcetic of the laſt century), in an oc⯑tavo volume, publiſhed in 1790.
This gentleman is grandſon of the celebrated Cecrops of Pennſylvania. He publiſhed, in 1796, the Battle of Eddington, a tragedy, the argument of which is taken from the Hiſtory of Alfred. It was acted, privately, for a night or two at the Haymarket, and to the ſecond edition of it were added, Letters on the Drama. The Monthly Re⯑viewers having criticiſed this tragedy with freedom, Mr. Penn publiſhed a Reply to their Strictures, which, we think, he would have done more wiſely to have let alone. He has alſo written a Tranſla⯑tion of Signior Ranieri Calſabigi's Letter to Count Alfieri on Tragedy, with notes; and an octavo vo⯑lume of Poetical Tranſlations and Miſcellanies, containing many Odes and Sonnets from Petrarch.
Member of many foreign Societies, and a moſt ingenious and celebrated Naturaliſt and Antiqua⯑rian. He was born at Downing in Flintſhire, in 1726, received the earlier part of his education at Wrexham School, was afterward removed to a ſchool at Fulham, then kept by Mr. Croft, and, after being a Member of Queen's and Oriel Col⯑leges, Oxford, aſſumed the law gown. A preſent or Willoughby's Ornithology, made to him at the age of twelve years, firſt gave him a taſte for the ſtudy of Natural Hiſtory. Of Mr. Pennant's firſt work, his celebrated Britiſh Zoology, the firſt part made its appearance on the 1ſt of March, 1763, in Imperial folio. It was carried on at the expence of a Society of ancient Britons (the Cymmrodo⯑rions) for the benefit of a Welch charity-ſchool, in London, and was completed in 1766. This work was next publiſhed in four volumes, octavo, of which the two firſt made their appearance in 1768; and it has ſince been alſo reprinted in quarto. Mr. Pennant's ſubſequent publications have been, Indian Zoology, formed from a fine collection of drawings of animals brought over by J. G. Loten, Eſq. a former Governor in Ceylon, of which a ſmall part was firſt publiſhed, in folio, in 1769, and which, a few years ago, was publiſhed with [125] additions, by other hands, in a quarto volume; a Synopſis of Quadrupeds, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1771; a Tour in Scotland, (made in 1769) publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1771, and afterward republiſhed with large additions in quarto; Genera of Birds, a duodecimo volume, publiſhed in 1773; a Tour in Scotland, and Voy⯑age to the Hebrides (made in 1772), publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1774; Part II. of this Tour, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1776; a Tour in Wales, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1778; a Journey to Snowdon (in continuation of the laſt mentioned Tour), publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1781; Hiſtory of Quadrupeds, in two volumes, quarto, publiſhed in 1781; Free Thoughts on our Militia Laws, a ſixpenny pamphlet, addreſſed, in 1782, to the poor inhabitants of North Wales; a Journey from Cheſter to London, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1782; Part II. Vol. II. of a Tour in Wales, (in continuation of the Journey to Snowdon) publiſhed in quarto, in 1783; a Letter from a Welch Freeholder, publiſhed in 1784; Arctic Zoology, in two volumes, quarto, publiſhed in 1785; Indexes to the Ornithology of the Comte de Buffon, and the Planches enluminées, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1786; Supplement to the Arctic Zoology, a quarto volume, publiſhed in 1787; and ſome Account of London, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1790. Beſide theſe produc⯑tions, Mr. Pennant had, at this time written, the [126] Natural Hiſtory of the Turkey, and an Account of Earthquakes felt in Flintſhire, in the Philoſophical Tranſactions of the year 1781; as alſo "Miſcella⯑nies," of which only thirty copies were printed, at the preſs of George Allan, Eſq. of Darlington.
In the year 1790, Mr. Pennant determined to deſiſt from his literary labours, and Signified his in⯑tention, in a prefatory paragraph to his Account of London. Two years afterward, however, he publiſhed a Letter to a Member of Parliament, on Mail Coaches, and has alſo written "The Lite⯑rary Life of the late Thomas Pennant, Eſq." pub⯑liſhed in a thin quarto volume, in 1793; and a Hiſ⯑tory of the Pariſhes of Whiteford and Holywell, publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1796. This lite⯑rary death to which Mr. Pennant condemned him⯑ſelf, and his ſubſequent reſuſcitation, had a very whimſical appearance. But thoſe who were moſt in habits of intimacy with him, while he lived, and knew beſt the pleaſure and inſtruction he could afford them, would moſt rejoice that his ſleep was not eternal.
Member of the Medical Societies of London and Edinburgh, &c. A Phyſician of Mancheſter, whoſe judgement and induſtry have materially be⯑nefitted medicine and philoſophy. His firſt publi⯑cation [127] was an octavo volume of Eſſays Medical and Experimental, which appeared in 1767. Soon after this, he publiſhed ſeveral ſmall tracts, ſingly, viz. the Diſadvantages of early Inoculation; Expe⯑riments and Obſervations on Water; and Obſer⯑vations and Experiments on the Poiſon of Lead. In the year 1776, he publiſhed an octavo volume of Philoſophical Medical and Experimental Eſſays, which, together with the above mentioned volume and tracts, and ſome detached pieces, inſerted in Tranſactions of learned ſocieties, or in periodical journals, has ever ſince been reprinted in two oc⯑tavo volumes, under the title, "Eſſays Medical, Philoſophical, and Experimental."
Dr. Percival is alſo diſtinguiſhed as a pleaſing and inſtructive writer for juvenile readers. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1775, "A Father's Inſtructions to his Children," in a duodecimo volume, conſiſting of tales, fables, and reflections, deſigned to promote the love of virtue, a taſte for knowledge, and an early acquaintance with the works of nature. Two years afterward, he added another volume, and completed a work which is executed in a manner moſt excel⯑lently adapted to its object. Since that time, Dr. Percival has written, "Moral and Literary Diſſerta⯑tions," publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1784; and ſeveral Papers in the Tranſactions of the Philo⯑ſophical and Literary Society of Mancheſter.
Lord Biſhop of Dromore, in the kingdom of Ireland. His Lordiſhip publiſhed, in 1761, HAU KIOU CHOAAN, or the pleaſing Hiſtory, a Chineſe Romance, in four duodecimo volumes. This lite⯑rary curioſity is a tranſlation from the Chineſe lan⯑guage, which his Lordſhip had reviſed from a ma⯑nuſcript (dated 1719) found among the papers of a gentleman who had large concerns in the Eaſt India Company, and who occaſionally reſided much at Canton. In 1765, his Lordſhip preſented the pub⯑lic with a very elegant and curious Collection of Reliques of ancient Engliſh Poetry, publiſhed by Dodſley, in three duodecimo volumes; and ſix years afterward, he publiſhed the Hermit of Wark⯑worth, a Northumberland ballad. In the claſs of divinity, we believe, his Lordſhip has only printed a ſingle Sermon. For the curious anec⯑dotes and literary information, to be found in the Edition of the Tatler with Illuſtrations and Notes, hiſtorical, biographical, and critical, publiſhed in ſix octavo volumes in the year 1786, the public is principally indebted to this prelate, though it was finiſhed and edited by another hand.
A Surgeon of Weſt Malling in Kent, Member of the London Medical Society, and Provincial Grand Maſter of Maſons for the county of Kent. This gentleman was born at Oxford, in 1740, and is ſon of the Rev. William Perfect, formerly Vicar of Eaſt Mailing in Kent. He is celebrated for his ſkill in the cure of perſons afflicted with inſanity, and for his activity as a member of the brotherhood of Free and Accepted Maſons. Dr. Perfect com⯑municated ſeveral articles to the Medical Muſeum; among them are. "An Attempt to improve Medi⯑cal Prognoſtication;" "The Caſe of a Catalepſy;" and "The Appearances on diſſecting a Woman who died of eating too much Cucumber." In 1778, he publiſhed "Methods of Cure in ſome particular Caſes of Inſanity," an octavo pamphlet; and, in 1781, Vol. I. (in octavo) of "Caſes in Midwifery," to which Vol. II. was, ſoon afterward, added. The laſt mentioned work was founded on the literary correſpondence of the late learned and ingenious Dr. Colin Mackenzie, and contains the only traits of his practice which have, hitherto, been ſubmitted to the public eye. In 1784, Dr. Perfect publiſhed an Addreſs to the Public on the Subject of Inſanity, notifying that he had opened houſes at Weſt Malling for the reception of inſane per⯑ſons; [130] and, three years afterward, he produced an octavo volume of ſelect Caſes in the different Spe⯑cies of Inſanity, Lunacy, or Madneſs, with the Modes of Practice as adopted in the Treatment of each. Since that time, Dr. Perfect's only produc⯑tion, in this claſs of publications, has been a pam⯑phlet, entitled, "A remarkable Caſe of Madneſs, with the Diet and Medicines uſed in the Cure." This remarkable caſe is a boy at the age of eleven, and the cure is an additional proof of the author's ſkill, in the treatment of confirmed mania.
Dr. Perfect is alſo a Verſifier, as well as a writer on medical ſubjects. He publiſhed, ſo early as the year 1763, "A Bavin of Bays," in a duodecimo volume; and has alſo written "The Laurel Wreath," in two duodecimo volumes; an Elegy on the great Storm in 1773, which was a good deal read; the Snowy Day, a paſtoral ſketch; and "Poetical Effuſions," publiſhed in 1796. His verſes cannot be ſaid to tower very highly above mediocrity.
A native of Scotland, and the editor of the newſpaper called the Morning Chronicle.
Formerly a Surgeon. He has written an Hiſ⯑torical Sketch of the French Revolution, in two octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1796; and the Argus, or General Obſerver, a political miſcellany, in an octavo volume, publiſhed the ſame year. Both party publications.
The author of an entertaining and inſtructive General Hiſtory of Inland Navigation, foreign and domeſtic, which he publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1792, and to which he has ſince added two uni⯑form pamphlets of Addenda.
A native of Shrewſbury. Author of the Hiſtory and Antiquities of Shrewſbury, in one volume, quarto, and of a few pamphlets on Theological Subjects. By the intereſt of Sir William Pulteney, he obtained a place in the Cuſtoms, which he now holds.
Maſter of a Boarding-ſchool at Hackney, and author of a Diſſertation on the Engliſh Verb, pub⯑liſhed in an octavo volume, in 1790, which evinces conſiderable grammatical knowledge and judge⯑ment.
The author of a uſeful View of the State of Derbyſhire, in two octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1789, to which the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, adjudged the reward of twenty-five guineas. Mr. Pilkington alſo publiſhed, in 1795, a pamphlet, entitled, "The Doctrine of Equality of Rank and Condi⯑tion examined and ſupported on the Authority of the New Teſtament, and on the Principles of Rea⯑ſon and Benevolence," in which he is as ingenious as a theoretical viſionary can be ſaid to be.
This lady, in 1796, ſought the preſs with two little volumes of "Miſcellaneous Poems." We will only add, ſhe had done better to have ſtaid at home!
PINDAR, PETER.—See Walcot.
A native of Scotland. His firſt publication was an octavo volume, in 1781, which he entitled, Rimes. Being of opinion that uniformity of ſtanza, when protracted to any degree, muſt ever fatigue, as extinguiſhing the great ſource of all pleaſure, variety, he here adopted a ſeries of ſtanzas, in which, as in the Greek ſtrophe, antiſtrophe, and epode, the two firſt correſpond, and are ſucceeded by a third of a different meaſure. But the ſpeci⯑men with which Mr. Pinkerton here preſented the public, was by no means peculiarly engaging. In the year following he publiſhed, "Tales in Verſe," in a quarto pamphlet; and alſo two dithyrambic Odes; which are more diſtinguiſhed by harſhneſs and affected ſingularity, than by any ſpecies of ex⯑cellence. Mr. Pinkerton's next publication was a uſeful Eſſay on Medals, which firſt appeared, ano⯑nymouſly, in a ſingle octavo volume, in 1784, and was enlarged to two volumes in the ſecond edition. The valuable aſſiſtance of Dr. Combe and Mr, Southgate, we believe, were afforded the author upon this occaſion. In 1786, Mr. Pinkerton pub⯑liſhed, "Ancient Scotiſh Poems, never before in [134] Print," in two crown-octavo volumes; and, in the year following, a Diſſertation on the Origin and Progreſs of the Scythians or Goths, in an octavo volume. His ſubſequent publications have been, an Enquiry into the Hiſtory of Scotland, preceeding the Reign of Malcolm III. in two octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1789; the firſt genuine edition of Barbour's Bruce, with notes and a gloſſary, in three volumes, duodecimo, publiſhed in 1790; Scotiſh Poems, reprinted from ſcarce editions, in three octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1792; Iconogra⯑phia Scotica; or, Portraits of illuſtrious Perſons of Scotland, with ſhort Biographical Notices, Part I. II. III. IV; and the Hiſtory of Scotland from the Acceſſion of the Houſe of Stuart to that of Mary, with Appendixes of original Papers, in two vo⯑lumes, quarto, publiſhed in 1797. In the laſt of theſe works, Mr. Pinkerton has judiciouſly choſen the period of Scotiſh Hiſtory which remained inſu⯑lated between the accurate inveſtigation of the ear⯑lier age, by Sir David Dalrymple, and the elegant Hiſtory of the later times, by Dr. Robertſon. He has produced a work of great merit, and, ſhould it experience the favourable reception to which we think it entitled, it is his deſign to write, upon the ſame plan, the Hiſtory of Scotland from the ear⯑lieſt Accounts to the Acceſſion of the Houſe of Stuart. Upon the whole, our opinion of Mr. Pin⯑kerton as a writer is, that, notwithſtanding an oc⯑caſional unpleaſant appearance of vanity, pedantry, [135] cauſticity, and want of taſte, he is poſſeſſed of real and extenſive knowledge, much good ſenſe, and ſufficient originality. We think he is ſomewhat amenable on the ſcore of Book-making,
A Lady of conſiderable notoriety in the literary world. She is the daughter of John Saliſbury Eſq. formerly of Bach-y-graig, in the county of Flint, and neice to Sir Thomas Saliſbury, who roſe to con⯑ſiderable eminence as a civilian, in Doctor's Com⯑mons. In 1763, ſhe married the late Henry Thrale Eſq.; a diſtinguiſhed Brewer in the borough of Southwark. This excellent man, in the year fol⯑lowing his marriage, was introduced, by Mr. Mur⯑phy, to the acquaintance of Dr. Samuel Johnſon. The intimacy of that celebrated character with this family daily increaſed, and he ſoon became an almoſt conſtant inmate of their country reſidence at Streatham. The conduct of Mr. Thrale to Dr. Johnſon, was indeed truly praiſe-worthy. His family contributed, for fifteen years, to the prolong⯑ation and comfort of a moſt valuable life, and when the benevolent maſter ſunk into the grave, the me⯑mory of his kindneſs was acknowledged by the loving object of his regard, with the confeſſion that with him were buried many of his hopes and pleaſures, that the face upon which he had looked for the laſt [136] time, had never been turned upon him but with reſpect and benignity, that he obtained from him many opportunities of amuſement, and turned his thoughts to him as to a refuge from misfortunes. Upon the death of Mr. Thrale, his widow finding it (as ſhe aſſerts) extremely perplexing and diffi⯑cult to live in the ſame houſe with the Doctor, took advantage of a loſt law-ſuit to plead inability of purſe for remaining longer in London or its vicinity, and retired to Bath, where ſhe knew he would not follow her. She continued, however, to corre⯑ſpond with Dr. Johnſon, till near the time (July 1784) of her marriage to her ſecond huſband, Sig⯑nior Piozzi, a native of Florence, and a muſic-maſter of the City of Bath; when a very warm expoſtulation, on the part of the Doctor, againſt this ſtep, diſſolved their friendſhip. Soon after her union with Mr. Piozzi, ſhe travelled with him to the place of his birth, and viſited ſeveral parts of Europe before they returned to England.
During her reſidence in Florence, in 1785, chance having brought together, at that place, a few Engliſh of both ſexes, particularly Mr. Merry, Mr. Parſons, and Mr. Greathead, they wrote, in aſſociation, "The Florence Miſcellany," a collection of pieces in proſe and verſe, of which a few copies have been printed, but it has not been publiſhed. Some ſpecimens of this flighty production appeared in a newſpaper of the day, called the World, as well as in ſeveral of the magazines: the preface [137] was written by Mrs. Piozzi, to whom, we believe, the conduct of the work had been committed. Se⯑veral other fugitive poetical pieces by Mrs. Piozzi, as, the Three Warnings, a tale imitated from La Fontaine; a Tranſlation of Boileau's Epiſtle to his Gardener, (firſt printed in Mrs. Williams' Miſcel⯑lanies); and a Prologue to the Royal Suppliants, have reached the public eye. Among theſe, the firſt is to be particularly diſtinguiſhed as a very maſterly production, and it has been ſtrongly ſuſ⯑pected that Dr. Johnſon either wrote it, or aſſiſted in the compoſition of it. The former opinion, we think, from the ſtyle of the piece, is improbable; but that it has felt his correcting hand, we have little doubt.
The firſt regular exploit of Mrs. Piozzi in au⯑thorſhip, was made in the year 1786; when ſhe produced her crown-octavo volume of Anecdotes of Dr. Johnſon. Two years after this, ſhe pub⯑liſhed a Collection of Letters to and from Dr. Johnſon, from 1765, to 1784, in two octavo vo⯑lumes. Her "Anecdotes," as coming from the pen of a writer who had long ſhared the ſociety and friendſhip of that illuſtrious character, were peruſed with great avidity; but time has diſſolved the charm. They bring us acquainted, it is true, with the domeſtic tranſactions, and introduce us to the private hours of the object held up to our view; yet, what of this, when, as admirers of the learning and moral excellence of their hero, we glow at [138] almoſt every page with indignation, that his weak⯑neſſes and his failings ſhould be diſcloſed to public view? There is, ſurely, ſomething ſacred attached in every well-conſtituted mind to the memory of a character, which, beſide extorting from us a tribute of admiration by its public name, has mingled its ſo⯑cial intercourſe with our private lives, has confirmed and instructed us by its example and its precepts, and diſplayed to us, upon a nearer view, a propor⯑tional degree of that excellence which ſame had con⯑ceded as its due. To a mind of this make, the ſtamp of death would enliven the impreſſions it had re⯑ceived, and, creating a melancholy and awful ve⯑neration for the departed object of its regard, for⯑get its failings, amid its pious fondneſs for the pleaſing remembrance of its worth. The name of Johnſon ſhall live while Piety, while Virtue, while Learning are regarded: yet Johnſon, after the luſtre he had reflected on the name of Thrale, after the delight which his counſel and his friendſhip had, for many years, afforded to the family, aged and infirm, was to be deſerted by his only ſurviving companion and his nurſe a year or two before his end; and after death, to have his memory tortured and abuſed by her deteſted itch for ſcribbling. More injury, we will venture to affirm, has been done to the ſame of Johnſon, by this lady and her late biographical helpmate,* than his moſt avowed [139] enemies have ever been able to effect; and if his character becomes unpopular with ſome of his ſuc⯑ceſſors, it is to theſe goſſiping friends he is indebted for the favour.
In 1789, Mrs Piozzi publiſhed, "Obſervations and Reflections made in the Courſe of a Journey through France, Italy, and Germany," in two oc⯑tavo volumes; and, in 1794, "Britiſh Synonymy; or, an Attempt at regulating the Choice of Words in familiar Converſation," in two octavo volumes. The former of theſe works is entertaining, though, in many reſpect, very reprehenſible. To the due execution of the latter, a rare combination of ta⯑lents was requiſite, among the leaſt of which may be numbered neatneſs of ſtyle, acuteneſs of per⯑ception, and a more than common accuracy of diſ⯑crimination. This lady, on the contrary, brought to the taſk a jargon, long ſince become proverbial for its vulgarity, an incapability of defining a ſingle term in the language, and juſt ſo much Latin, from a child's ſyntax, as ſufficed to expoſe the ignorance ſhe ſo anxiouſly labours to conceal.*
The general character, which we are diſpoſed to afford Mrs. Piozzi, as an author, is, that ſhe is poſſeſſed of reſpectable talents, and of an educa⯑tion ſuperior to what commonly falls to the lot of the fair ſex; but that her vanity is ſo conſpi⯑cuous upon every occaſion, as to deſtroy, in moſt [140] minds, any favourable impreſſion which her abili⯑ties, or her attainments might make. Little in⯑deed, do the leſſons and example of her auſtere preceptor appear to have contributed toward mak⯑ing her more ſolid or more judicious!
Secretary to the Royal Society, and one of the under-librarians to the Britiſh Muſeum. He has written an Eſſay on the Runic or Scandinavian Language.
A native of Scotland, and author of a valuable Syſtem of Chronology, in a folio volume, pub⯑liſhed in 1784. At the time of this publication, Dr. Playfair promiſed the public ſome chronological Diſſertations, if his work experienced a favourable reception; they have not yet made their appearance.
A native of Scotland, and an ingenious writer on Subjects of Calculation and Finance. His firſt publication was a quarto pamphlet, entitled, "Re⯑gulations [141] for the intereſt of Money;" and, in 1786, he publiſhed, in quarto, the Commercial and Poli⯑tical Atlas, repreſenting, by means of ſtained cop⯑per-plate charts, the exports, imports, and general trade of England, the national debt, and other public accounts. Since that time, he has written▪ an Eſſay on the National Debt; "Inevitable Con⯑ſequences of a Reform in Parliament;" a General View of the actual Force and Reſources of France, in January, 1793; "Better Proſpects to the Mer⯑chants and Manufacturers of Great Britain;" Thoughts on the Preſent State of French Politics (1703); "Peace with the Jacobins impoſſible;" a Letter to Earl Fitzwilliam, occaſioned by his two Letters to the Earl of Carliſle; and a Real State⯑ment of the Finances and Reſources of Great Britain.
Late Lieutenant Colonel and Equerry to his Royal Highneſs the Duke of Glouceſter. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1768, an Eſſay on Field Fortification, in an octavo volume; and, in 1795, Military Obſer⯑vations in a Tour through Part of France, French Flanders, and Luxembourgh, in a quarto pamphlet. A future publication of a ſimilar kind with the latter of theſe, is to depend upon the reception af⯑forded to this.
Of the Middle Temple, Barriſter at Law, and a Roman Catholic. This gentleman's firſt publica⯑tion was a diſcuſſion reſpecting the ſtate of the deſcendants of perſons attainted and aliens under the Britiſh Laws, which he publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1784, under the title, "An Inveſtiga⯑tion of the Native Rights of Britiſh Subjects," and wrote a Supplement to it in the year following. Since that time, he has written, "Impartial Thoughts on the beneficial Conſequences of in⯑rolling all Deeds, Wills, and Codicils affecting Lands," an octavo pamphlet, publiſhed in 1790; "The Caſe ſtated," a pamphlet, occaſioned by the Act of Parliament paſſed for the relief of the Eng⯑liſh Roman Catholics; Jura Anglorum, an octavo volume, publiſhed in 1792; a ſhort Hiſtory of the Britiſh Empire, from May, 1792, to the Cloſe of the year 1793, an octavo volume; "A friendly and conſtitutional Addreſs to the People of Great Britain," an octavo pamphlet, publiſhed in 1794; a ſhort Hiſtory of the Britiſh Empire during the year 1794, an octavo volume; "Church and State, being an Enquiry into the Origin, Nature, and Extent of eccleſiaſtical and civil Authority, with Reference to the Britiſh Conſtitution," a quarto volume, publiſhed in 1795; and a Treatiſe upon [143] the Law of Uſury and Annuities, an octavo vo⯑lume, publiſhed in 1797. As a writer, Dr. Plow⯑den is generally ingenious, but, ſometimes, too dogmatical. "Church and State," is his moſt diſ⯑tinguiſhed work, which will be a laſting monu⯑ment to his honour, as a chriſtian, a man, a ſcholar, and a lawyer.
Archdeacon of Salop, In the dioceſe of Here⯑ford. He has publiſhed three "Charges," given at the viſitation of his Archdeaconry, and a Sermon preached at a triennial viſitation of the Biſhop of Hereford.
Member of the Corporation of Surgeons in London, and author of "The Anatomical Inſtruc⯑tor," an illuſtration of the methods of preparing and preſerving the different parts of the human body, &c. publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1790.
Of Polwhele in Cornwall. A reſpectable di⯑vine, a very pleaſing poet, but a leſs ſucceſsful hiſtorian. He was born in 1760, at his above⯑mentioned patrimonial eſtate, was educated at the neighbouring grammar-ſchool of Truro, became a member of Chriſt-Church College, Oxford, was admitted a ſtudent in civil law, afterward took or⯑ders, and was, for ten years, curate of Kenton near Exeter. Before Mr. Polwhele left Truro-ſchool, he wrote and publiſhed the Fate of Lew⯑ellyn, a legendary tale; the Genius of Karnbre, a poem; the Spirit of Fraſer to General Burgoyne, an ode; the Death of Hilda, an American tale; an Ode to Mrs. Macaulay, on her Birth-day; the Caſtle of Tintadgel, an ode; and the Iſle of Pop⯑lars, an ode: the two laſt of which were publiſhed among Rack's Eſſays. It is curious that the verſi⯑fication of his firſt production, "The Fate of Lewellyn," is much more melodious than that of his "Engliſh Orator," which is nearly the laſt; but the Tale was written to pleaſe the ear only. In 1785, Mr. Polwhele publiſhed, anonymouſly, Book I▪ of "The Art of Eloquence," a didactic poem; and alſo, "Pictures from Nature, in twelve Son⯑nets," each quarto pamphlets. The firſt of theſe was reprinted in the following year, under the title [145] of "The Engliſh Orator," and three more books were afterward added. In the year 1786, Mr. Polwhele alſo publiſhed a Tranſlation into Engliſh verſe, with diſſertations and notes, of the Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments of Theocritus, Bion, and Moſchus, with the Elegies of Tyrtaeus, in a quarto volume, which was afterward reprinted in two oc⯑tavos. It is ſaid of this work that it was com⯑pleted in half a year: if ſo, it does great credit to the talents of the writer, ſince many of the tranſla⯑tions are extremely happy, and, conſidered as a whole, it is, perhaps, a formidable rival of the ſi⯑milar production by Mr. Fawkes. In 1789, Mr. Polwhele publiſhed, two octavo volumes of well-written Diſcourſes on different Subjects; and has, ſince that time, produced a quarto volume of "Poems," containing his "Engliſh Orator," his "Sonnets," and ſome other pieces; a ſingle Ser⯑mon, preached in 1792, at Kenton; Vol. I. of Hiſtorical Views of Devonſhire, in octavo; and Vol. II. of the Hiſtory of Devonſhire, in folio. The former of the two laſt-mentioned works is to be completed in five volumes: it is a repoſitory of cu⯑rious notices, not interfering with the author's main undertaking: the latter of them, which is to be comprehended in three volumes, and the publi⯑cation of which was commenced with the ſecond volume, in 1793. Beſide theſe productions, Mr. Polwhele wrote the Biographical Memoirs of Mr. Rack, in Collinſon's Hiſtory of Somerſet, and was [146] the editor of two octavo volumes of "Poems," by gentlemen of Devon▪ and Cornwall, who form a literary ſociety, whoſe meetings are held at ſtated times at the Globe Inn, Exeter, and of which Mr. Polwhele is one of the oldeſt members.
This gentleman was the ſucceſſor of Mr. Gil⯑bert Wakefield, as tutor in Belles-Lettres and Claſſical Literature, at the New-College, Hackney, and has made himſelf appear ridiculous enough, by attempting to bring his ſprinkling of claſſical knowledge, in competition with the copious waters of that celebrated and excellent ſcholar. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1792, a duodecimo volume, entitled, "Obſervations on the miraculous Conception," &c. with Remarks on Mr. Wakefield's opinion concerning Mat. xxvii. 5; and alſo an octavo vo⯑lume, entitled, "Divine Worſhip founded in Na⯑ture, and ſupported by Scripture Authority," with Remarks on Mr. Wakefield's arguments againſt Public Worſhip, and ſtrictures on ſome parts of his Silva Critica, and Engliſh Verſion of the New Teſ⯑tament. Previous to theſe publications, we believe, he had printed a ſingle Sermon: ſince their ap⯑pearance he has publiſhed, two Sermons, in an oc⯑tavo pamphlet. The writings of Mr. Pope are, by no means, deſtitute of ingenuity or liberality; [147] but, when, in the firſt inſtance, he attempted a diſplay of learning (reſpecting the word [...]), in oppoſition to Mr. Wakefield, his conduct was ſurely no leſs ill-judged, than his comprehenſion of the force of his adverſaries argument was erro⯑neous. He has been ſome time employed upon a courſe of Remarks on the three Greek Trage⯑dians, with which he ſeems inclined to favour the world, modeſtly obſerving that 'no good edition of 'thoſe authors had yet appeared.' The vanity of Mr. Pope is, indeed, too conſpicuous!
Greek Profeſſor in the Univerſity of Cambridge, and formerly Fellow of Trinity College. This gen⯑tleman is well known, not in this country only, for his very extraordinary talents, and as the beſt Greek ſcholar we have. He was educated at Eton-ſchool, took his degree of B. A. at Cambridge in 1782, was always moſt eminently diſtinguiſhed for his claſſical knowledge, and ſucceeded Mr. Cooke in the above Profeſſorſhip, in the year 1793. Mr. Porſon's firſt regular and avowed publication, was his celebrated volume of Letters to Mr. Archdea⯑con Travis, in Anſwer to his Defence of the three Heavenly Witneſſes, i. John v. 7, which made its appearance in 1790. Of this work, the celebrated Mr. Gibbon has ſaid, that it is the moſt [148] acute and accurate piece of criticiſm which has ap⯑peared ſince the days of Bentley. The author's ſtrictures are founded in argument, enriched with learning, and enlivened with wit; and his adver⯑ſary neither deſerves, nor finds, any quarter at his hands. The elegant edition of the ſeven Plays of Aeſchylus, without notes, without the ſcholia, and without the fragments, which was publiſhed by Foulis at Glaſgow, in 1795, in a folio volume, was clandeſtinely printed from a text corrected by Mr. Porſon. That gentleman had lent his manu⯑ſcript corrections and conjectures on the text of Aeſchylus, to a friend in Scotland, they fell into the hands of Foulis, and the above-mentioned edition was publiſhed without the Profeſſor's leave, or even knowledge. Mr. Porſon edited the Edition of Heyne's Virgil, which was printed in London; is at preſent, publiſhing new editions of Greek Plays, with ſhort commentaries, by ſingle plays, each in an octavo volume, ſome of which have already made their appearance; and will ſhortly (we believe produce a new Edition of Aeſchylus complete, with Notes. He has alſo been, for ſome time, pre⯑paring for the Cambridge preſs, an Edition of the in⯑edited Greek Lexicon of Photius, from the manu⯑ſcript in Trinity College Library. A moſt elegant and maſterly copy of this work, which his Hercu⯑lean talents and exquiſite Greek hand-writing had produced, was, not long ago, conſumed by an acci⯑dental fire, in a houſe where it was depoſited. He [149] has again, however, aſſailed the mighty undertaking, and will, probably, ſoon favour the world with the truly deſirable fruit of his induſtry.
It is needleſs for us to add our eulogium to the well known merit of Mr. Porſon, as a philologiſt, a very conſummate ſcholar, and a moſt acute and ac⯑curate critic. Many occaſional fugitive productions, which have either never reached the preſs, or, if printed, have appeared anonymouſly, are addi⯑tional teſtimonies to the juſt eſtimation in which he is held by the literary world. We have only to lament that he ſhould live below the meaſure of abilities ſo tranſcendent, in contradiction to na⯑ture's deſign in the talents with which ſhe has ſo liberally endowed him. What is genius (ſays an elegant writer) without a regulated life! And, ſurely the paultry occupation of writing for a party journal,* and the unmanly indulgence of every exceſs and diſſipation, are moſt derogatory to a character of firſt-rate powers and attainments, yea verily beneath a Greek Profeſſor in one of our Univerſities.
The author of a Defence of Unitarianiſin, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1793, and in⯑tended as an anſwer to Dr. Hawker's Sermons on [150] the Divinity of Chriſt. It occaſioned a Reply from Dr. Hawker, which produced a very able rejoinder from Mr. Porter.
Lord Biſhop of London, Dean of the Chapel Royal, &c. This learned and amiable prelate, after having been Rector of Lambeth, and after holding the Biſhoprick of Cheſter for eleven years, ſucceeded to the See of London, in the year 1787, on the deceaſe of the venerable Dr. Lowth; and is ſuppoſed to have riſen to his preſent high rank through the particular patronage of her Majeſty. Dr. Porteus was educated at Chriſt's College, Cam⯑bridge, took his degree of B. A. in 1752, obtaining with Baron Maſeres, the Chancellor's Medals at that Univerſity on their firſt inſtitution, was, for ſome time, Fellow of the above Society, and gained the Seatonian Prize for a poetical Eſſay on Death, in 1759, which was publiſhed according to the will of the founder. His Lordſhip was alſo for many years, Chaplain to the late Archbiſhop Secker, and, in aſſociation with Dr. Stinton, publiſhed the ſeven octavo volumes of Sermons by that eminent divine, prefixing a Review of his Grace's Life and Cha⯑racter. In the year 1776, Dr. Porteus diſtinguiſhed himſelf by his exertions to eſtabliſh a more ſolemn obſervation of the Faſt, Good-Friday, and pub⯑liſhed, [151] in that year, a ſerious, affectionate, and ſen⯑ſible "Exhortation," to that effect. This produced a rude ill-natured attack upon his Lordſhip, from the late Mr. Robert Robinſon, of Cheſterton near Cambridge, who publiſhed the Hiſtory and Myſtery of Good-Friday, in order to ridicule the obſervance of it. Having, previouſly, printed ſeveral occa⯑ſional ſingle Sermons, Dr. Porteus publiſhed in 1781 "A Brief Confutation of the Errors of the Church of Rome," extracted from Archbiſhop Secker's five Sermons againſt Popery, and deſigned for ge⯑neral diſtribution. Two years after this, he pro⯑duced a volume of Sermons on ſeveral ſubjects, to which he added a ſecond volume, in the year 1794. In both of theſe volumes, many of the occaſional ſingle Sermons, which his Lordſhip had formerly printed were republiſhed, and they are well known to rank among the moſt perfect examples of pulpit eloquence in our language. Dr. Porteus has alſo publiſhed, a Letter to the Clergy of the Dioceſe of Cheſter concerning Sunday Schools, and a Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Dioceſe of London, at the primary Viſitation, in 1790. His Lord⯑ſhip's poetical talents have been handſomely com⯑plimented by Hannah More, in her poem, Senſibi⯑lity. His ſtyle in proſe compoſition is always claſ⯑ſical and correct, but, perhaps, he is too ſtudious of avoiding the blandiſhments of ornament and fancy. In his epiſcopal character, he is a pattern of pro⯑priety of conduct.
Prebendary of Lincoln, Archdeacon of St. Albans, and formerly of St. John's College, Cam⯑bridge. This gentleman is a ſon of the late emi⯑nent Surgeon, Percival Pott. He publiſhed in 1779, an octavo volume of "Poems," conſiſting of odes, elegies, &c. and, three years afterward, an octavo volume of "Elegies," with Selmane, a tragedy: neither of theſe productions poſſeſſes very diſtinguiſhed pretenſions to merit. Since that time, Mr. Pott has publiſhed, four Charges to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of St. Albans; two Sermons for the Feſtivals and Faſts of the Church of England; three ſingle Sermons preached upon particular oc⯑caſions; and a duodecimo volume of "Elementary Diſcourſes," deſigned for the uſe of a young per⯑ſon after confirmation. His writings in the claſs of divinity, have always been highly acceptable.
Miniſter of Scarning, and a character of the higheſt diſtinction as a claſſical ſcholar. The lite⯑rary world is moſt intrinſically indebted to him for excellent poetical verſions of the three Greek Tra⯑gedians. Mr. Potter publiſhed, in 1774, an oc⯑tavo [153] volume of "Poems," moſt of the pieces in which had before appeared, ſeparately. It con⯑tains many very pretty compoſitions, particularly a beautiful farewell Hymn to the country, in imita⯑tion of Spenſer. Three years after this, his Tran⯑ſlation of Aeſchylus made its appearance in a quarto volume, and has, ever ſince, been reprinted with the addition of notes, in two volumes, octavo. Of the excellence of this tranſlation, it is hardly poſſi⯑ble to ſay too much: many of the parts are ſo ex⯑quiſitely beautiful as to leave us in doubt whether any poet, we have ever heard of, could have ac⯑compliſhed the taſk with greater ſucceſs. In 1781, Mr. Potter publiſhed, Vol. I. (in quarto) of his Tranſlation of Euripides, to which Vol. II. was added in the year following; and, in 1788, his Tranſlation of Sophocles was publiſhed, in a quarto volume. Theſe laſt-mentioned verſions are, cer⯑tainly, upon the whole, inferior to Mr. Potter's firſt production, yet, they are, each of them ex⯑cellent performances, and far ſuperior to thoſe of our former tranſlators, Mr. Wodhull and Dr. Frank⯑lin. Beſide theſe laborious works, Mr. Potter pub⯑liſhed, in 1783, "An Enquiry into ſome Paſſages in Dr. Johnſon's Lives of the Poets," a quarto pamphlet; and, in 1785, a Tranſlation of the Ora⯑cle concerning Babylon, and the Song of Exulta⯑tion from Iſaiah, chap. xiii. and xiv.
In his weightieſt character, the Tranſlator of the Greek Tragedians, we muſt again compliment [154] Mr. Potter on the very ſingular ſervice which he has done to the literary world. It was an under⯑taking which, to many, muſt have appeared too great for the life of man: and conſidering the ſuc⯑ceſs with which ſo much labour has been accom⯑pliſhed, conſidering alſo the amiable character which Mr. Potter bears, as a member of ſociety, we are ſurpriſed that he has not, long ago, at⯑tracted the notice of thoſe, who are able and wil⯑ling to confer honours and preferments, where they meet with peculiar deſert.
Author of the Hiſtory and Adventures of Ar⯑thur O'Bradley; the Curate of Coventry; the Vir⯑tuous Villagers; the Favourites of Felicity; and Frederic, all novels; the morality of ſome of which is extremely lax, and the compoſition of all of them very indifferent.
Of the Middle Temple. Barriſter at Law, and a diſtinguiſhed writer in the law department. He publiſhed, in 1785, an excellent Treatiſe on the Law of Mortgages, in an octavo volume, and has ſince that time written, an Eſſay on the Learning [155] reſpecting the Creation and Execution of Powers, an octavo volume; an Eſſay upon the Learning of Deviſes an octavo volume; and an Eſſay on the Law of Contracts and Agreements, in two octavo volumes. Mr. Powell alſo humanely undertook to complete the ſecond volume of the late Mr. Fearne's Eſſay on the Learning of contingent Remainders and executory Deviſes, for the benefit of his wi⯑dow, her huſband having only lived to finiſh the firſt volume.
This voluminous gentleman was, ſome time ago, a bookſeller of the City of Bath. His firſt attempt at diſtinction conſiſted in reading paſſages of ſome of the moſt celebrated poets, in public. When he firſt aſſumed the character of an author, his ſignature was Courtney Melmoth, under which his firſt production (in the year 1774) was a quarto pamphlet of wretched ſtanzas, entitled, "The Tears of Genius, occaſioned by the Death of Dr. Goldſmith." In the year following, Mr. Courtney Melmoth produced, Vols. I. and II. (in duodecimo) of "Liberal Opinions upon Animals, Man, and Providence," with the Hiſtory of Benig⯑nus; a miſerable farrago, which dragged its ſenſe⯑leſs length to ſix volumes. Mr. Courtney, ſoon afterward, publiſhed Obſervations on Young's [156] Nights Thoughts, in an octavo volume; the Pupil of Pleaſure, a novel, in illuſtration of the ſyſtem in Lord Cheſterfield's Letters, and in which the hero of the piece is diveſted of every ſentiment of ho⯑nour, delicacy, and humanity!! the Sublime and Beautiful of Scripture, in two duodecimo volumes; an Apology for the Life and Writings of David Hume, Eſq. in a duodecimo volume; Travels for the Heart, in two duodecimo volumes; the Sha⯑dows of Shakſpeare, a monody, occaſioned by the death of Mr. Garrick, and honoured with a Bath-Eaſton Prize; Shenſtone Green, a novel, in three duodecimo volumes, founded on the paſſage in Shenſtone's works ‘Had I a fortune of eight or ten thouſand pounds a year, I would build my⯑ſelf a neighbourhood;’ the Tutor of Truth, a novel, in oppoſition to the Pupil of Pleaſure; and Emma Corbet, a novel, in three duodecimo vo⯑lumes, publiſhed in 1780.
Mr.Courtney Melmoth having, by this time, ſcribbled himſelf out of notice, "Sympathy," a poem was publiſhed, anonymouſly, in 1781; and, in the ſame year, the Fair Circaſſian, a tragedy, taken from Hawkeſworth's Almoran and Hamet, was pro⯑duced at Drury Lane, and publiſhed BY MR. PRATT, with a dedication to the Prince of Wales. Since this time Mr. Pratt has always prefixed his name to his productions. In the year 1783, he brought out a Comedy at Drury Lane, entitled. "The School for Vanity," which was, perhaps ra⯑ther [157] capriciouſly, condemned; and, two years af⯑terward, he publiſhed "Landſcapes in Verſe," a poem; and four crown octavo volumes of "Miſ⯑cellanies," in which many of his former fugitive pieces were reprinted. Mr. Pratt's next produc⯑tions were, "The Triumph of Benevolence," a poem, occaſioned by the deſign of erecting a mo⯑nument to Mr. Howard; "Humanity," a poem; and an Ode on his Majeſty's Recovery; after which his abſence on the Continent afforded his pen a long repoſe. On his return he made, in 1795, an offering of his Muſe to his native country, by an Ode to the Benevolence of England; and another to the pockets of his countrymen, by three octavo volumes of "Gleanings," through Wales, Hol⯑land, aad Weſtphalia. Since that time, Mr. Pratt has written a novel, in five duodecimo volumes, en⯑titled, "Family Secrets, Literary and Domeſtic;" and two three-penny Letters, one to the Britiſh Soldiers, the other to the Tars of old England.
A ſhort time before Mr. Pratt's return from the Continent, the following paragraph was inſerted, for ſeveral days, ſucceſſively, in the London newſ⯑papers, ‘A few days ſince, died, at Baſle in Swiſ⯑ſerland, the ingenious Mr. Pratt. His loſs will be ſeverely felt by the literary world; as he joined to the accompliſhments of the gentle⯑man, the erudition of the ſcholar!!!’ Soon af⯑terward came a ſecond paragraph, as follows, ‘As no event of late has cauſed a more general [158] than the ſuppoſed death of the inge⯑nious Mr.Pratt; we are happy to have it in our power to aſſure his numerous admirers, that he is as well as they can wiſh, and (what they will be delighted to hear) buſied in preparing his TRAVELS for the preſs!!!!!!!’
It is difficult to ſay, which of Mr. Pratt's literary productions have been moſt approved. By the above liſt of them, the reader will obſerve that he may ſay with Dr. Johnſon, 'he has written his ſhare.' Beſide theſe, we only recollect a farce, en⯑titled, "Joſeph Andrews," which was acted at Drury Lane, in 1788, for Mr. Benſley's benefit, but never printed. Of his verſes, we think "The Triumph of Benevolence," the beſt. Upon the whole, the ſtationers and printers muſt thank him for his excellent cuſtom; but, if he ever wrote for ſame, he ſeems mightily to have miſ⯑taken the means of obtaining his object▪
This lady is the ſurviving prop of Animal Magnetiſm, in Bloomſbury Square. During the life time of the late Dr. de Mainauduc, ſhe was the only perſon allowed to aſſiſt the Doctor in deli⯑vering his lectures, and in communicating his two-hundred-guinea ſecret. Upon his death, finding herſelf his executrix, ſhe iſſued by the advice of the [159] late Dr's. Friends, Propoſals for Publiſhing his Lectures by ſubſcription. Theſe lectures are di⯑vided into THREE PARTS: the firſt of which ſhe begged to offer to the ſtudents and public, imme⯑diately, printed on ſuperfine wove paper, hot-preſſed, with a portrait of the Doctor, price five guineas!!!
N. B. Three times five are FIFTHTEEN.
Paſt Matter of the Lodge of Antiquity, No. I. He is a native of Edinburgh, born in 1742, was for ſome time amanuenſis to the celebrated Tho⯑mas Ruddiman, and apprentice to his brother the printer, and has, ſince that time, become a ſuper⯑intendent of the preſs of Mr. Strahan in London. While in Scotland, he compiled a Catalogue of Mr. Ruddiman's Books; and, in May, 1772, deli⯑vered an Oration on the Inſtitution of Maſonry, at a grand gala of eminent brethren, held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand. This compoſition was afterward printed in the firſt edi⯑tion of Mr. Preſton's "Illuſtrations of Maſonry," a well-written panegyrical view of that celebrated fraternity, publiſhed the ſame year. Having been appointed to the office of Deputy Grand Secretary, under James Heſeltine, Eſq. he compiled, for the benefit of the charity, the Hiſtory of Remarkable [160] Occurrences, inſerted in the two firſt publications of the Freemaſons Calendar; prepared for the preſs, an Appendix to the Book of Conſtitutions; and, from the various memoranda he had made, formed the Hiſtory of Maſonry, which was after⯑ward printed in his ILLUSTRATIONS. A diſpute taking place, in 1779, between the Grand Lodge and the Lodge of Antiquity, Mr. Preſton took the part of the Lodge and his private friends, in con⯑ſequence of which his name was eraſed from the Hall Committee, and he was afterward, with ſe⯑veral gentlemen, Members of that Lodge, expelled the Society. The treatment which he and his friends experienced on this occaſion, was circum⯑ſtantially related in a pamphlet, entitled, "A State of Facts, &c," which was printed by Mr. Preſton, at his own expence, and circulated among his friends, but never ſold: the leading circumſtances were alſo recorded in ſome of the latter editions of his ILLUSTRATIONS. Ten years afterward, however, Mr. Preſton and all the other Members of the Lodge of Antiquity, were re-inſtated by the Grand Lodge in a handſome manner.
Of Glouceſter Street, Dublin. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1794, two octavo volumes of his "Poetical Works," ſome of which had been pub⯑liſhed [161] ſeparately, as long ago as the year 1775. Among theſe poems are many pieces of very con⯑ſiderable merit, and the public are likely to be fa⯑voured with a third volume. Mr. Preſton has alſo publiſhed, "Democratic Rage; or, Louis the Un⯑fortunate," a political tragedy, and a Letter to Brian Edwards, Eſq. containing Obſervations on ſome paſſages of his Hiſtory of the Weſt Indies.
Of the Inner Temple. Author of a very uſeful elementary Treatiſe, by way of eſſay, on the Quan⯑tity of Eſtates, &c. publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1762; to which he has ſince added, by way of ſupplement, a ſuccinct View of the Rule in Shel⯑ley's Caſe. Mr. Preſton has alſo publiſhed, No. I. (in octavo) of a Collection of Law Tracts.
Lord Biſhop of Lincoln, and Dean of St. Paul's. This diſtinguiſhed prelate was born with humble proſpects in life, at Bury St. Edmund's in Suffolk. He was educated at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, and took his degree of B. A. with the greateſt diſ⯑tinction, in the year 1772. Dr. Turner, the pre⯑ſent Dean of Norwich, was his ſenior by a few [162] and, when Mr. Pitt and the late ſon of Lord Elliot came to the above College, the latter became the private pupil of Dr. Turner, and Mr. Pitt was given to Dr. Prettyman. The pains which the precep⯑tor took with the embryo glory of his country, were, afterward, gratefully and deſervedly repaid, by the Mitre which he now wears. His Lordſhip was, for ſome time, private Secretary to Mr. Pitt, and has moſt uſefully aſſiſted him by the application of thoſe talents for calculation and financial ſkill, which he had, unſuſpectingly, cultivated in the groves of the academy. The publications of Dr. Prettyman have only been one or two occaſional ſingle Sermons, the firſt of which appeared in 1784. In a late Charge to his Clergy, his Lord⯑ſhip attacked Dr. Geddes with the imputation of infidelity, in denying the divine authority of the Pentateuch!
A very diſtinguiſhed Connoiſſeur in the Picture⯑ſque. He publiſhed, in the year 1780, in an oc⯑tavo volume, a Tranſlation from the Greek of the Account, by Pauſanias, of the Statues, Pictures, and Temples in Greece, when he travelled over all its ſtates, about the 177th year of the Chriſtian aera. In 1794, he wrote an Eſſay on the Pictu⯑reſque, as compared with the ſublime and the [163] beautiful, in an octavo volume, which was at⯑tacked with propriety, by Mr. H. Repton, the land⯑ſcape painter, in a Letter to Mr. Price, vindicating Mr. Brown's and his own principles of improve⯑ment. To this Letter Mr. Price publiſhed a con⯑ceſſive Anſwer; and has ſince written, "Thoughts on the Defence of Property," a ſmall pamphlet.
A native of Wales, and formerly a Captain in the army. Some years ago, he wrote many pam⯑phlets on the ſubject of our Tranſactions in the Eaſt Indies, and was a ſtrentious defender of things as they are, in that country. His Reply to the Tra⯑vels of Mackintoſh (vide that name), was chiefly noticed. A Collection has been made of his Tracts, in four octavo volumes.
The author of an Hiſtorical and Topographical Account of Leominſter and its Vicinity, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1795; and of an Hiſtori⯑cal Account of the City of Hereford, in an octavo vo⯑lume, publiſhed the year following. The laſt of theſe is a very reſpectable performance, and, perhaps, pre⯑ferable to the firſt. Mr. Price has alſo (we believe) [164] written, "The Seaman's Return," a farce, acte at provincial theatres.
Fellow of many foreign ſocieties, and a diſſent⯑ing Clergyman, late of Hackney. This celebrated character was born at Field-head near Briſtall, about ſeven miles from Leeds, in the year 1728-9. His father was a merchant and manufacturer: he received the early part of his education from the Rev. Mr. Scott, a diſſenting miniſter in the neigh⯑bourhood, and completed it under Mr. Aſhworth, near Daventry in Northamptonſhire. Dr. Prieſtley was educated in the ſtricteſt principles of calviniſm; about the age of twenty he became an Arian, in which perſuaſion he continued for fifteen or ſixteen years; and, at length, embraced the doctrines of Socinus, to which he was chiefly led by Dr. Lard⯑ner's Letters on the Logos. He was, for ſeveral years, Tutor in the Languages and Belles-Lettres, at the late diſſenting academy of Warrington, whence he returned to his native county, and took upon himſelf the paſtoral office at Mill-Hill Cha⯑pel, Leeds. In the year 1773, being appointed Chaplain and Librarian to the Marquis of Lanſ⯑down, then Lord Shelburne, he quitted that ſitua⯑tion, and reſided with his Lordſhip for nearly ſeven years. A coolneſs taking place between them, [165] and Dr. Prieſtley having received an invitation to ſettle with a ſociety of proteſtant diſſenters at Bir⯑mingham, he undertook the paſtorſhip of the new meeting of that town, on the laſt day of the year 1780. Here he long remained undiſturbed, al⯑though his pulpit Diſcourſes, his political pam⯑phlets, and his private converſation were well known to be highly inimical to the Government of his country, and, eſpecially, to her eccleſiaſtical conſtitution. But his declamatory vehemence, and the indecency of his conduct to the neighbouring clergy, cauſed him to be viewed, by the lower claſſes in Birmingham, as a turbulent, ſeditious man: and, in July 1791, a flame, which had, for a long time, been gaining ſtrength under ſuppreſ⯑ſion, broke out with dreadful fury upon his devoted head. A moſt infamous libel had been circulated, which was, of itſelf, ſufficient to inflame the minds of the populace; and the fabrication of this paper was ignorantly attributed to Dr. Prieſtley. At⯑tached to the Conſtitution of their country, they re⯑ſolved to inflict the heavieſt vengeance upon the man, who dared thus to inſult them: and the con⯑ſequences were dreadful, indeed. For ſome days, Birmingham was a miſerable ſcene of popular fury. Houſes were pillaged, meeting-houſes burned, and no bounds could have been put to the fury of the enraged mob, had it not been for the wiſe, diſpaſſionate conduct of the neighbouring nobility and gentry, who, at length, ſucceeded in reſtoring [166] peace to the diſtracted town. Dr. Prieſtley ſuffered ſeverely. His houſe, his library, with numerous unpubliſhed manuſcripts, his laboratory, and valu⯑able philoſophical apparatus were all deſtroyed. Part of the mob, inflamed with liquor, and more ſavage than the reſt, had actually conceived the horrid deſign of taking away his life: but the pre⯑vious intelligence he had received enabled him to elude their vengeance, and they contented them⯑ſelves with burning his effigy. Upon his arrival in London, Dr. Prieſtley publiſhed a Letter, couched in haughty terms, by which he ſeemed to conſider himſelf as perſecuted for righteousneſs' ſake: and, ſoon afterward, he accepted an invitation to ſuc⯑ceed the late Dr. Price, at the New-College, Hackney. His misfortunes had not, however, cured him of his political frenzy, and his conduct being, at length, marked by Government, a polite intimation was given him to quit the country. Upon this, he emigrated to America, and ſettled at Northumberland-Town, He was, not long ago, a candidate for the office of Chaplain to the Houſe of Aſſembly at New York, but had a minority of votes in favour of Dr. Green.
Of the numerous literary productions by Dr. Prieſtley, the firſt was a Treatiſe on the Rudi⯑ments of Engliſh Grammar, which was publiſhed in a duodecimo volume, in 1761, and ſeven years af⯑terward, republiſhed with great additions and im⯑provements, in an octavo volume. This firſt work [167] was followed, in 1765, by his uſeful Charts of Biogra⯑phy, and of Univerſal Hiſtory, and by an Eſſay on Liberal Education, in an octavo volume. In 1767, Dr. Prieſtley publiſhed an Hiſtory of Electricity, in a quarto volume; and a familiar Introduction to the Study of Electricity, in a quarto pamphlet; and, in the year following, a Pamphlet on the Lord's Sup⯑per; a ſmall Catechiſm; and an Eſſay on the firſt Principles of Government, in an octavo volume. In 1769, was publiſhed Vol. I, (in octavo) of the Theological Repoſitory, conſiſting of original eſ⯑ſays, hints, queries, &c. calculated to promote re⯑ligious knowledge, a periodical miſcellany con⯑ducted by Dr. Prieſtley, and continued to ſix vo⯑lumes. Since that time he has written, in the claſs of theology, a free Addreſs to Proteſtant Diſ⯑ſenters, on the Doctrines of Calviniſm; an Ad⯑dreſs to Maſters of Families: Conſiderations on Church Authority; Conſiderations on Differences of Opinion among Chriſtians; a View of the Prin⯑ciples and Conduct of the Proteſtant; Diſſenters; Additions to his Addreſs on the Lord's Supper; Letters to the Author of Remarks on ſeveral Publi⯑cations relative to the Diſſenters; Anſwer to a ſecond Letter to him on his Addreſs on the Lord's Supper; Inſtitutes of Natural and Revealed Reli⯑gion, in two volumes, octavo; a Farewell Sermon at Leeds; an Addreſs to Proteſtant Diſſenters on giving the Lord's Supper to Children; Conſidera⯑tions for the Uſe of Young Men; a Free Addreſs [168] to Proteſtant Diſſenters on the Subject of Church Dicipline; a Harmony of the Evangeliſts in Greek, with Diſſertations in Engliſh; a Sermon on the Doctrine of Divine Influence on the Human Mind; a Harmony of the Evangeliſts in Engliſh; Letters to a Philoſophical Unbeliever, two parts; a Sermon preached on undertaking the Paſtorſhip of the New Meeting at Birmingham; two Letters to Dr. Newcome on the Duration of our Saviour's Miniſtry; two Diſcourſes preached to Proteſtant Diſſenting Miniſters; additional Letters to a Phi⯑loſophical Unbeliever; a Sermon on the Proper Conſtitution of a Chriſtian Church; an Hiſtory of the Corruptions of Chriſtianity, in two volumes, octavo; a Reply to the Animadverſions on his Hiſtory, in the Monthly Review; Letters to Dr. Horſley, three parts; Forms of Prayer for the Uſe of Unitarian Societies; Remarks on the Monthly Review of the Letters to Dr. Horſley; a General View of the Arguments for the Unity of God; a Sermon on Free Enquiry; a Hiſtory of Early Opinions concerning Jeſus Chriſt, in four volumes, octavo; a Letter to Mr. Pitt on Toleration; Letters to Dr. Horne; Letters to the Jews, two parts; a Sermon on the Slave Trade; an octavo volume of Diſcourſes on various Subjects, moſt of which had been publiſhed ſeparately; Defences of Unitarian⯑iſm, for 1787, 1788, and 1789; an Hiſtory of the Sufferings of Mr. Lewis de Marolles and Mr. Iſaac le Feyre, upon the revocation of the edict of [169] Nantz: a Sermon on the Teſt; Letters to the Rev. E Burn; Familiar Letters addreſſed to the Inhabitants of Birmingham, five parts; a Sermon on Death; a General Hiſtory of the Chriſtian Church to the Fall of the Weſtern Empire, in two volumes, octavo; a Sermon on the Death of Dr. Price; a Sermon on Education; an Ordination Sermon at Warwick; a Sermon at Buxton; Origi⯑nal Letters by the Rev. John Weſley and his Friends; Letters to the New Jeruſalemites; a Ser⯑mon on the Birmingham Riots; a Sermon at Hack⯑ney; Letters to a Young Man, occaſioned by Mr. Wakefield's Eſſay on Public Worſhip, two parts; Letters to the Philoſophers and Politicians of France, on the Subject of Religion; two Faſt Sermons preached April 19th, 1793, and February 28th, 1794; a Farewell Sermon at Hackney; an octavo volume of Diſcourſes on the Evidences of Revealed Religion; an Anſwer to Paine's Age of Reaſon; Ob⯑ſervations on the Increaſe of Infidelity; and a Ser⯑mon on Unitarianiſm preached at Philadelphia. The three laſt of theſe were firſt publiſhed in America, and reprinted in London. Collections of his larger and ſmaller Tracts, have been made in octavo and duodecimo volumes. His publications in other claſſes, ſince the above date, have been, Additions to his Hiſtory of Electricity; the Trial of Elwal, a quaker; Directions for impregnating Water with fixed Air; the Hiſtory and preſent State of Diſcoveries relating to Viſion, Light, and [170] Colours, (publiſhed in 1772) in two quarto vo⯑lumes; Experiments and Obſervations on different Kinds of Air, in three octavo volumes; an Exam⯑ination of Reid on the Mind, Beattie on Truth, and Oſwald's Appeal; Hartley's Theory of the Mind; "Philoſophical Empiriciſm," a pamphlet relative to a charge of plagiariſm; Lectures on Oratory and Criticiſm; Diſquiſitions relating to Matter and Spirit; the Doctrine of Philoſophical Neceſſity illuſ⯑trated; a Correſpondence with Dr. Price on Ma⯑terialiſm and Philoſophical Neceſſity; Obſervations on Education; Experiments and Obſervations in Natural Philoſophy, three volumes, octavo; a Letter to Mr. Palmer, in Defence of the Illuſtra⯑tions of Philoſophical Neceſſity; a Letter to Mr. Bryant, in Defence of Philoſophical Neceſſity; a ſecond Letter to Mr. Palmer; Lectures on Hiſtory and General Policy, in one volume, quarto, and two volumes, octavo; Letters to Mr. Burke, occa⯑ſioned by his REFLECTIONS on the French Revo⯑lution; a Letter to the Inhabitants of Birmingham; an Appeal to the Public on the ſubject of the Riots in Birmingham, two parts; Experiments on the Generation of Air from Water; Heads of Lec⯑tures on a Courſe of Experimental Philoſophy, de⯑livered at the New-College, Hackney; Experiments and Obſervations relating to the Analyſis of Atmoſ⯑pherical Air, firſt publiſhed in America, and re⯑printed in London; and ſeveral Papers printed at [171] ſundry times, in Philoſophical Tranſactions of learned ſocieties.
As a Controverſialiſt, no man upon record has been more diſtinguiſhed than Dr. Prieſtley. He has been engaged with Mr. Venn, a methodiſt; with Mr. Berington, a Roman catholic clergyman; with Mr. Whitehead, a quaker; with Dr. Price and Mr. Palmer, diſſenting miniſters, and Mr. Jacob Bryant, on the ſubjects of Materialiſm and Philoſophical Neceſſity; with Biſhop Newcome, on the duration of our Lord's Miniſtry; with Mr. Hammon, a pretended atheiſt; with Biſhop Horſ⯑ley, Mr. Badcock, Mr. Burn, Mr, Hawkins, the Jews, (particularly Mr. Levi) and the followers of Baron Swedenborg; and, laſtly, with Mr. Brian Higgins (in particular) on Natural Philoſophy, A ſhort, but curious correſpondence between Mr. Gibbon and Dr. Prieſtley, may alſo be ſeen in Lord Sheffield's publication of that gentleman's poſthu⯑mous Works; in which, though the Hiſtorian ſeems well to underſtand the direct tendency of the Doctor's character and opinions, the temper of the divine appears to much greater advantage than that of his antagoniſt.
Of the abilities of Dr. Prieſtley, none can he⯑ſitate to pronounce that they are of firſt-rate excell⯑ence. His philoſophical enquiries and publications claim the greateſt diſtinction, and have materially contributed to the advancement of ſcience. As an experimental philoſopher, he is, perhaps, the very [172] firſt of his age. He has alſo been a moſt induſtri⯑ous divine; and, had he proved as diligent in pro⯑pagating truth, as in diſſeminating error, in eſta⯑bliſhing the goſpel in the minds of men, inſtead of ſhaking their belief in the doctrines of revelation, perhaps, few characters of the preſent century would have ranked higher as learned men, or have been held in greater eſtimation. On the contrary his political and theological writings muſt be pro⯑nounced to be fraught with principles the moſt de⯑ſtructive to the well-being of ſociety. It was a ſaying of Dr. Johnſon that they were calculated to unſettle every thing, but to ſettle nothing. The undaunted and unremitting conſtancy with which he has purſued the eſtabliſhment of his ſpeculative doctrines, has done infinitely more than was to be wiſhed, toward giving popularity to his metaphyſi⯑cal and theological ſentiments: and, if their appre⯑hended effect has fortunately been counteracted, it is, probably, owing to their violence rather than to any other cauſe. The pillars of revelation, (ſays Mr. Gibbon) are ſhaken by thoſe men who pre⯑ſerve the name without the ſubſtance of reli⯑gion, who indulge the licence without the temper of philoſophy!
Brother to the ſubject of the preceeding arti⯑cle, and a methodiſt miniſter. He has publiſhed a Commentary on the Bible; an Anſwer to William Huntington's Timothy Prieſtley Shaved; an octavo volume of Family Exerciſes; "The Chriſtian's Look⯑ing Glaſs, in a duodecimo volume; and a few occa⯑ſional ſingle Sermons. He was, for ſome time, edi⯑tor of the Chriſtian's Magazine.
A methodiſt preacher in Weſley's connection. He has publiſhed a Sermon on the Chriſtian's Duty to God and the Conſtitution; an octavo volume of original Letters and Eſſays on moral and enter⯑taining Subjects; and an Oration in Defence of Me⯑thodiſm, delivered at the Weſtminſter Forum. He is a frequent writer in the Lady's Magazine.
The author of a Letter to the Proprietors of Eaſt-India Stock, on the preſent Criſis of the Com⯑pany's Affairs, publiſhed in 1793; and alſo of [174] Strictures on the Mocurrery Syſtem of Landed Pro⯑perty in Bengal, originally, written for the Morning Chronicle, under the ſignature, GURREEB DOSS.
Joint Keeper of the Rolls in the above king⯑dom, and brother-in-law to the Marquis of Buck⯑ingham and Lord Grenville. His lordſhip pub⯑liſhed in the year 1780, a Letter to the Hunting⯑donſhire Committee, intended to ſhew the legality, as well as neceſſity, of extending the right of elec⯑tion to the whole body of the people, and of abridg⯑ing the duration of Parliament. Three years after⯑ward he wrote, Thoughts on the Conſtitution, with a View to the propoſed Reform, in the Repreſent⯑ation of the People, and Duration of Parliaments. They are both of them well-written pamphlets.
The author of An Account and Method of Cure of the Bronchocele, or Derby Neck, which was firſt publiſhed in 1769, and well received; and alſo of a Treatiſe on the Strangles and Fevers of Horſes, in an octavo volume, publiſhed in 1790.
A Swedenborg Miniſter. He has written a very candid Reply to Dr. Prieſtley's Letters, to the Members of the New Jeruſalem; a Faſt Sermon, preached in the New Jeruſalem Temple at Bir⯑mingham; Hymns for the uſe of the New Church; and Jehovah's Mercy, a poem.
A Surgeon and Apothecary of Pentonville. He has publiſhed "Wiſdom's Dictates," a collec⯑tion of maxims, chiefly from Baron Swedenborg.
Of Redruth, Cornwall. This gentleman pub⯑liſhed in 1778, in a folio volume, Mineralogia Cor⯑nubienſis, a ſenſible and uſeful treatiſe on Minerals, Mines, and Mining; and in 1790, in a quarto vo⯑lume, Archaeologia Cornu-Britannica, an Eſſay to pre⯑ſerve the Ancient Corniſh Language, which is a work very acceptable to the Philologiſt.
Formerly of Pembroke Hall; Cambridge, and Fellow of Dulwich College. His firſt publication was a Faſt Sermon preached at Fitzroy Chapel, in 1782. Since that time he has publiſhed Albion Triumphant, or Admiral Rodney's Victory over the French Fleet, a poem; an irregular Ode ad⯑dreſſed to Mr. Pitt, which reached a ſecond edition; and a Poem to Meſſrs. Ramſay, &c. on their exer⯑tions for ſuppreſſing the Slave Trade: none of which entitle him to diſtinction as a poet. Alſo a volume of Sermons full of flighty extravagance.
This Senator is one of the moſt diſtinguiſhed among thoſe, uſually denominated the country gentle⯑men. He has written ſeveral political pamphlets, viz. Thoughts on the State of Affairs with Ame⯑rica, publiſhed in 1778; Conſiderations on the State of Public Affairs, publiſhed in the following year; "The Effects to be expected from Mr. Fox's India Bill upon the Conſtitution of Great Britain, if paſſed into a Law," which was publiſhed in 1784, and bought up and diſtributed in great numbers by the friends of Mr▪ Pitt; Conſiderations on the Le⯑gality, [177] Policy, and Operation of the Impreſs of Seamen, publiſhed in 1786; and Conſiderations on the Cauſe, Sutton v. Johnſtone, publiſhed the year following. The Subſtance of his Speech on his Motion, April 7th, 1797, for ſhortening the time during which the Bank of England ſhall be re⯑ſtrained from iſſuing caſh for its debts and demands, has alſo been publiſhed in an octavo pamphlet. He is a ſenſible, accurate and moderate writer.
This gentleman, a well-known Phyſician and Naturaliſt, publiſhed in 1781, a General View of the Writings of Linnaeus, in an octavo volume, which gained him very great credit. Since that time he has written, Hiſtorical and Biographical Sketches of the Progreſs of Botany in England, from its Origin to the Introduction of the Linnaean. Syſtem, publiſhed in two volumes, octavo, in 1790, which is likewiſe a work of great merit.
Poet Laureat, and one of the Magiſtrates of the Police Office, Queen Square, Weſtminſter. This gentleman is deſcended from an ancient family in Berkſhire, which county his anceſtors, as well as [178] himſelf, have frequently repreſented in Parliament. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, took his degree of M. A. in 1766, and was after⯑ward, for ſome time, in the Berkſhire Militia. On the death of Dr. Warton, in 1790, he ſucceeded that gentleman as Poet Laureat.
We believe Mr. Pye's firſt literary production was an Ode on the Birth of the Prince of Wales, printed in the Oxford Collection. He afterward, occaſionally, publiſhed ſingly and anonymouſly, ſe⯑veral original Poems; and alſo excellent Tranſla⯑tions of the ſix Olympic Odes of Pindar, omitted by Mr. Weſt; and a Tranſlation of the Art of War, a poem, from the French of the King of Pruſſia, written in 1778, at his leiſure hours during the encampment at Coxheath. In 1783, he pub⯑liſhed, with his name, the Progreſs of Refinement, a poem; and, four years afterward, "Poems on various Subjects," in two octavo volumes, in which all of the pieces, above referred-to, were collected, and a few new ones added. A very elegant Engliſh Tranſlation of the Song of Harmodius and Ariſto⯑geiton, in which the turn of expreſſion of the ori⯑ginal has been imitated with extraordinary felicity, is to be found, among other excellent pieces, in this collection. Mr. Pye's ſubſequent publications have been, a Tranſlation of the Poetic of Ariſtotle, firſt publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1788, and after⯑ward prefixed to a Commentary on that work, pub⯑liſhed in a quarto volume; Amuſement, a poetical [179] eſſay, publiſhed in 1790; the War Elegies of Tyr⯑taeus imitated, and addreſſed to the People of Great Britain, publiſhed in 1795; the Siege of Meaux, a tragedy, acted at Covent Garden Theatre; and Leonore, a tale, tranſlated from the German of Burger. He is alſo ſpeedily about to preſent the public with a Poem on the Origin and Progreſs of Navigation, which, as we have underſtood, is to cloſe with a ſplendid apoſtrophe, commemorating our late glorious naval victories.
The poetry of Mr. Pye cannot, perhaps, upon the whole, be ſaid to be of that very ſuperior kind, which has univerſally exacted from his readers the applauſe of firſt-rate excellence. Yet, none can deny that he is always the elegant ſcholar, the man of taſte and fancy, and the writer of poliſhed ver⯑ſification; while the great intereſts of virtue and public ſpirit-have uniformly been countenanced by his pen. His ARISTOTLE, though a performance of conſiderable merit, has been diſplaced by the work, ſo ſingularly maſterly, of Mr. Twining. Among the ſeveral tranſlators of the above-men⯑tioned German tale, he is certainly the beſt.
Rector of Caſtle Riſing, and Lynn St. Edmund, in Norfolk. This gentleman edited his father's Sermons, in three volumes, octavo; and publiſhed, [180] in 1789, one hundred and twenty popular Sermons, in four volumes, octavo, among which are like⯑wiſe ſome by his father. The profits of the laſt of theſe publications, which has ſome merit, are de⯑ſigned for the benefit of the Norfolk and Norwich Hoſpital.
FELLOW of the King's and Queen's Col⯑lege of Phyſicians, Phyſician-general of his Ma⯑jeſty's Army in Ireland, and of the Royal Hoſpital for Invalids, near Dublin. This gentleman has written an intereſting Treatiſe on the Dropſy of the Brain illuſtrated by a variety of caſes, which was publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1791.
A LADY of great diſtinction in the literary world as a Novel-writer. We believe her firſt production in this claſs was, "The Caſtles of Athlin and Dun⯑bayne," an highland ſtory, publiſhed in a duodecimo volume, in 1789. Since that time, ſhe has written, "A Sicilian Romance," in two duodecimo vo⯑lumes; the Romance of the Foreſt, in three duo⯑decimo volumes; the Myſteries of Udolpho, in four duodecimo volumes; and the Italian, in three duodecimo volumes. They have all been very ge⯑nerally read and admired, eſpecially, the Romance of the Foreſt, and the Myſteries of Udolpho. Her powers of pleaſing, in this line of compoſition, are very ſingularly great; and the happy combination of various talents which her pieces diſplay, entitles their author to rank among the firſt novel-writers of her age; while the beautiful verſes interſperſed among her tales, muſt raiſe her highly in the eſtima⯑tion of every poetical genius. Beſide theſe Ro⯑mances, Mrs. Radcliffe publiſhed, in 1795, in a quarto volume, "A Journey made in the Summer of 1794, through Holland and the Weſtern Frontier of Germany, with a Return down the Rhine; to [182] which are added, Obſervations during a Tour to the Lakes of Weſtmoreland and Cumberland." This volume was afterward reprinted in two octavos. It is a well-written, entertaining, and authentic work, and adds a new laurel to the brows of the fair writer.
Of Oriel College, Oxford. This gentleman has tranſlated from the French, "A Journey through Sweden, containing a detailed Account of its Po⯑pulation, Agriculture, Commerce, and Finances;" and "The Natural Hiſtory of Eaſt Tartary, traced through the three Kingdoms of Nature," originally publiſhed at Peterſburgh, by the Academy of Sci⯑ences. Each of theſe Tranſlations were publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1790.
A Law-Stationer. He has written Henry Ben⯑net, a novel, in three volumes, which is an at⯑tempt in the manner of Fielding, not deſtitute of merit.
A native, and Preſident of the Senate, of South Carolina. He has diſtinguiſhed himſelf as a warm friend to human liberty. In 1787, he publiſhed the Hiſtory of the Revolution of South Carolina, in two octavo volumes, printed in America; and, in 1791, the Hiſtory of the American Revolution, in two octavo volumes. Both of theſe performances diſplay a very commendable degree of integrity, temper, liberality, penetration, and knowledge. The firſt Oration which was ſpoken at the public celebration of the eſtabliſhment of American in⯑dependence, was delivered by Dr. Ramſay; and, after a lapſe of ſixteen years, he was again called upon to perform the ſame office, July 4th, 1794. The excellent Speech he made was publiſhed in London, the year following, in an octavo pamphlet.
Mathematical, Optical, and Philoſophical Inſtru⯑ment-maker in Piccadilly. He is one of the few work⯑men of this deſcription, who unite great ſcientific knowledge with much practical ſkill. He has made ſeveral inventions and improvements in the inſtru⯑ments uſed in the practical parts of natural philoſophy, [184] which are greatly to the credit of his ingenuity, and which conſtitute him a worthy promoter of ſcience. For the invention of his celebrated Machine for dividing Mathematical Inſtruments, he received ſix hundred and fifteen pounds, on certain conditions, from the commiſſioners of longitude. Of this Ma⯑chine he publiſhed a Deſcription, in 1777, in a quarto volume, by order of the above-mentioned commiſſioners; and has alſo, occaſionally, written Papers in the Philoſophical Tranſactions.
Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a very ſuperior Claſſical Scholar. He took his degree of B. A. in the Univerſity with great diſtinction, in 1736; and has written, perhaps, the beſt Greek Ode, in imitation of Sappho, on the ſubject of the Siege of Gibraltar, which the legacy of Sir William Browne has ever produced. Mr. Ramſden has of late, attracted a good deal of notice, by the pub⯑lication of two ſingular Sermons on the Right to Life, preached before the Univerſity. They are the production of an imagination extraordinarily poetical; and have been read by many, underſtood by few, and tranſlated into Engliſh metre by one.
Canon of Chriſt Church, and Regius Profeſſor of Divinity in the Univerſity of Oxford; and late Greek Profeſſor in that Univerſity. This gentle⯑man's firſt publication was a Sermon preached at an ordination at Chriſt Church, in 1779. Since that time, he has publiſhed a Sermon at the conſe⯑cration of Dr. Lewis Bagot, in 1782, to the Bi⯑ſhoprick of Briſtol; De Graecoe Linguae ſtudio Prae⯑lectio habita in Schola Linguarum, Oxon. III. Non. Dec. A. D. MDCCLXXXII; and Concio ad Clerum in Synodo Provinciali Cantuarienſis Provincae, ad D. Pauli, Die 26o. Novembris, A. D. 1790.
Chaplain to his Royal Highneſs the Duke of York, and late Fellow of King's College, Cam⯑bridge. He publiſhed, in 1788, a Letter to Mr. Pitt on the propoſed Abolition of the Slave Trade; and, in 1792, "Scriptural Reviſion of Socinian Arguments," in a letter to Dr. Prieſtley, which does him very great credit. The latter of theſe productions produced a Reply from Benjamin Hob-houſe, Eſq. which occaſioned Mr. Randolph to publiſh, in 1793, a pamphlet, entitled, "Scrip⯑tural [186] Reviſion of Socinian Arguments vindicated." This Vindication likewiſe produced an Anſwer from Mr. Hobhouſe.
A foreigner of diſtinguiſhed reputation and me⯑rit. He edited the poſthumous writings of the ce⯑lebrated Leibnitz, and publiſhed at Leipzig, in 1763, Specimen Hiſtoriae Naturalis Globi terraquei, &c. an eſſay, (in octavo) chiefly relating to the forma⯑tion of iſlands, the origin of mountains and the phenomena of petrified bodies. In 1776, he pub⯑liſhed, in London, an Account of ſome German Volcanos and their Productions, in an octavo vo⯑lume; and has, ſince that time, produced a Tran⯑ſlation of Ferber's Philoſophical Travels, in an oc⯑tavo volume; an Eſſay on Oil Painting, in quarto; Tabby in Elyſium, a poem; and a Tranſlation from the German of Baron Inigo Born's New Proceſs of Amalgamation of Gold and Silver Ores, &c. in a quarto volume.
Of Knightſbridge. The author of a Summary View of the Spontaneous Electricity of the Earth [187] and Atmoſphere, an accurate and judicious work, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1793.
Of Staple's Inn. Barriſter at Law, and a very diſtinguiſhed editor of dramatic writings. He edited the Collection of old Plays, in twelve duodecimo volumes, publiſhed by Dodſley, in 1780, and lately republiſhed; and alſo, in conſequence of a very flattering application from Mr. Stevens, the ten-octavo-volume edition of Shakſpeare's Plays, pub⯑liſhed in 1785. Mr. Reed has, moreover, we be⯑lieve, written "Biographia Dramatica," in two duodecimo volumes. No man is more converſant than this gentleman, with Engliſh publications, both ancient and modern; and no man more wil⯑ling to aſſiſt the literary undertakings of others.
A Diſſenting Miniſter of Hackney, and, we believe, one of the tutors at the New College. His principal work is the laſt improved edition of Chamber's Cyclopaedia, in four large folio volumes; a taſk which he has performed with very conſider⯑able care and ſucceſs. Dr. Rees has alſo publiſhed ſe⯑veral occaſional ſingle Sermons, the laſt of which [188] was on the Death of his intimate friend Dr. Kippis. He was formerly concerned in the Monthly Review.
The author of a new Syſtem of Stenography, which has been favourably received, but which is too conciſe in its principles to be of very ge⯑neral utility.
A literary lady of much ingenuity, reſident at Ipſwich in Suffolk. Her firſt publication was a Tranſlation from the Latin of the fine old romance, Barclay's Argenis, which made its appearance in 1772, in four duodecimo volumes, under the title, "The Phoenix; or, the Hiſtory of Polyarchus and Argenis." She next wrote the Champion of Virtue, a Gothic ſtory, which was publiſhed in 1777; and was republiſhed in the following year, under the title it has ever ſince retained, viz. "The Old Engliſh Baron." Mrs. Reeve has, ſince that time, written the two Mentors, a modern ſtory; "The Progreſs of Romance through Times, Countries, and Manners," in a courſe of intereſting and well-writ⯑ten evening converſations; The Exile, or Memoirs of the Count de Cronſtadt, the principal incidents [189] of which are borrowed from a novel by M. D'Ar⯑naud; the School for Widows, a novel; "Plans of Education," with remarks on the ſyſtem of other writers, in a duodecimo volume; and Memoirs of Sir Roger de Clarendon, a natural Son of Edward the Black Prince, with Anecdotes of many other eminent perſons of the fourteenth century, in three duodecimo volumes. It is hardly neceſſary for us to add, concerning a writer ſo well known as Mrs. Reeve, that her works diſcover her to have culti⯑vated uſeful knowledge with conſiderable ſucceſs, and to have applied that knowledge leſs frivolouſly than is frequently the caſe with female authors.
Barriſter at Law, and author of a very valu⯑able Hiſtory of the Engliſh Law, from the time of the Saxons, to the end of the Reign of Phillip and Mary, publiſhed in two volumes, quarto, in 1784, and afterward reprinted in four octavo volumes. Mr. Reeves has alſo written a Hiſtory of the Law of Shipping and Navigation; Hiſtory of the Go⯑vernment of the Iſland of Newfoundland; and Thoughts on the Engliſh Government, in a letter.
Late Profeſſor of Moral Philoſophy in the Uni⯑verſity of Glaſgow. He was the moſt ſcientific and diſtinguiſhed of the three * Scotiſh defenders of the celebrated doctrine, COMMON SENSE. His earlieſt publication was upon this ſubject. It was an octavo volume, publiſhed in 1764, and entitled, "An Enquiry into the Human Mind, on the Prin⯑ciples of Common Senſe." The great object of this volume was, to refute certain principles with regard to the human underſtanding, which had, for a long time, been commonly adopted by philo⯑ſophers, and, upon which, Biſhop Berkeley and Mr. Hume had, at laſt, erected a ſyſtem of ſcep⯑ticiſm. It was received with a degree of favour, ſeldom ſhewn to metaphyſical diſquiſitions. In the year 1785, Dr. Reid publiſhed, "Eſſays on the In⯑tellectual Powers of Man," in a quarto volume. This treatiſe is written upon a much more extenſive plan than the former, and comprehends an account of all the powers of the human underſtanding. A few years afterward, in continuation of his general plan, and, in completion of the analyſis, which he propoſed to make of the human mind, Dr. Reid [191] publiſhed "Eſſays on the active Powers of Man," in a quarto volume. His writings have found many admirers.
Formerly of the Iſle of Thanet. He publiſhed, in 1782, an Eſſay on the Nature and Cure of the Phthiſis Pulmonalis, in an octavo volume, which was greatly enlarged and improved in a ſecond edition. Dr. Reid has written, ſince that time. Directions for Warm and Cold Sea-bathing, a pamphlet of conſiderable merit.
A Tranſlator of foreign Newſpapers, and a fre⯑quent writer in our Magazines. He has publiſhed a Collection of his Poems, which cannot be ſaid to rank above mediocrity.
An Army-Surgeon. Author of a uſeful View of the Diſeaſes of the Army, publiſhed in an oc⯑tavo volume, in 1793, which confirms the practice adopted by Doctors Millar, Robertſon, and Clarke.
A gentleman of very extenſive and very accu⯑rate knowledge. He was formerly Major of Engi⯑neers and Surveyor-general in Bengal; and is highly celebrated as the delineator of a very beautiful map of Hindoſtan. This map was firſt publiſhed in 1783, accompanied by a "Memoir," in a quarto volume, conſiſting of illuſtrations of Indian Geo⯑graphy. Five years afterward the Memoir was re⯑publiſhed, in a thicker volume, with great im⯑provements. Major Rennell has written, ſince that time, "The Marches of the Britiſh Armies in the Peninſula of India, during the Campaigns of 1790 and 1791, illuſtrated and explained by reference to a Map, compiled from authentic Documents, tranſmitted by Earl Cornwallis from India," pub⯑liſhed in 1792, in an octavo volume; Memoir of a Map of the Peninſula of India, from the lateſt au⯑thorities, publiſhed the year following, in a quarto volume; and Obſervations on a Current that often prevails to the Weſtward of Sicily, a quarto pam⯑phlet. To the third edition of Major Rennell's firſt-méntioned Memoir, publiſhed in 1793, was added the ſecond ſupplementary map, containing the new geography of the Peninſula of India, and alſo the explanatory memoir. It is hardly ne⯑ceſſary for us to add that this gentleman ranks [193] among the very firſt geographers, and that his country is very deeply indebted to his labours.
Prebendary of Wincheſter, Rector of St. Mag⯑nus in the City of London, and late Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. This ſtout and worthy pillar of the church has, of late, diſtinguiſhed him⯑ſelf by the publication of ſeveral very excellent ſingle Sermons, preached for the moſt part on parti⯑cular occaſions. Among them are, "Principles of French Republicaniſm eſſentially founded on Vio⯑lence and Blood-guiltineſs," a Sermon occaſioned by the Murder of Her Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty; "The Conſequences of the Vice of Gaming, as they effect the Welfare of Individuals, and the Stability of Civil Government conſidered;" and "The Services rendered to the Church of England by the Engliſh Nation, a Motive for Liberality to the indigent Miniſters of that Church," preached at the anniverſary meeting of the Sons of the Clergy it St. Paul's, May 10th, 1796. One or two more ſingle Diſcourſes, from theſe excellent hands, have alſo reached the preſs. Dr. Rennell merits the higheſt eſtimation, from all good men, for the energy with which his conduct, as a miniſter of the goſpel, has, of late years, been marked. No well-wiſher to his country has heard his eloquent harangues, [194] or admired, in private, in his cloſet, his piety, his patriotiſm, and his erudition, without wiſhing that our religion and our morals had in theſe times many more ſupports ſo able and ſo active.
The celebrated ſatirical poem, THE PURSUITS OF LITERATURE, was, at one time, confidently attributed to this gentleman: on this ſubject, we refer the reader to the note at page 205, of our firſt volume. Dr. Rennell married a daughter of the celebrated Sir William Blackſtone.
Surgeon in the Royal Navy. He publiſhed, in 1778, a pamphlet, which he entitled, "An At⯑tempt to reſtore the primitive natural Conſtitutions of Mankind, &c." and has, ſince that time, pub⯑liſhed three Addreſſes to Parliament on the Situa⯑tion of the Navy Surgeons; and an Enquiry into the Nature and Cauſes of Sickneſs in Ships of War, an octavo pamphlet.
A very diſtinguiſhed proficient in the art of drawing, who has been conſulted in the improve⯑ment of many of the ſeats of gentlemen of for⯑tune. He was engaged in a controverſy with Mr. [195] Uvedale Price, in the year 1794, on the ſubject of the Pictureſque; and, upon the publication of that gentleman's Eſſay, publiſhed a "Letter" to him, in vindication of Mr. Brown's and his own Principles of improvement. Since that time, Mr. Repton has publiſhed, "Sketches and Hints on Landſcape Gardening," an elegant work, in a fo⯑lio volume. We believe he is alſo the author of an octavo volume of Eſſays, publiſhed in 1788, under the title, "Variety."
A ſucceſsful Dramatic Writer of the day. He is the younger ſon of Mr. Reynold's Solicitor to Lord Chatham, and brother to a barriſter of that name. He was himſelf, after an education at Weſtminſter-ſchool, brought up to the law, but has never been called to the bar. The firſt produc⯑tion of Mr. Reynolds was Werter, a tragedy, taken from a novel of the celebrated Goethe, which was firſt rejected by Mr. Harris, afterward repre⯑ſented with ſucceſs on the Bath ſtage, and finally brought out at Covent Garden. He next pro⯑duced Eloiſa, a tragedy, taken from Rouſſeau, which laſted three nights at Covent Garden, and cleared the author eight pounds. Here ended Mr. Reynolds' attempts in tragedy. In the year 1793, he produced, at Covent Garden, his whimſical [196] comedy, entitled, "The Dramatiſt," which ſuc⯑ceeded in creating the laughter of our modern au⯑diences, to the aſtoniſhment of all who read it in their cloſets. Since that time Mr. Reynolds has furniſhed Covent Garden Theatre with the Cruſade, an opera; and Notoriety, How to Grow Rich, the Rage, Speculation, Fortune's Fool, the Will, and Cheap Living, comedies. All of theſe pieces have reached the preſs. The laſt but one has been, not unaptly, called by Mr. William Gifford, a Bartho⯑lomew-fair farce: indeed, the ſame name is but too applicable to moſt of them. Upon the whole, perhaps, the Dramatiſt is the beſt of Mr. Rey⯑nolds' dramatic productions; but they all bear, in every ſcene, the badges of that corrupt and pitiful taſte, ſo lamentably, but ſo ſtrongly the character⯑iſtic of the age in which they were written. We have already, alas! had but too frequent oppor⯑tunity* of expreſſing the concern we feel upon this occaſion!
Of Gray's Inn. Son of the phyſician of the ſame name, and Member of Trinity College, Cam⯑bridge. This gentleman publiſhed, in the year 1796, a duodecimo volume, which he entitled, [197] "An Addreſs to the Ladies from a young Man." This production (by no means to the credit of the times, be it ſaid) reached, in a ſhort time, a ſe⯑cond edition. We will only add, that the ſubject itſelf, and more eſpecially the indecent manner in which it is treated, conſidering to whom it is ad⯑dreſſed, are unworthy of a writer who profeſſes in his preface to have been lately ſtudying mathematics; and totally unworthy of an academic and a ſcholar.
Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, and a gen⯑tleman whoſe poetical talents have very conſide⯑rable claims to diſtinction. We believe that his firſt publication was his beautiful poem, "The Aboriginal Britons," which was printed in 1791, having been publicly recited at Oxford during an Act, in conſequence of a prize adjudged to its au⯑thor, the donation of an unknown perſon. Almoſt all the copies, of the firſt impreſſion of this maſterly production, were ſold on the day of publication. Mr. Richards' ſubſequent pieces have been, "Songs of the Aboriginal Bards of Britain," publiſhed in a quarto pamphlet, in 1792; "Modern France," a poem, publiſhed in a quarto pamphlet the year following; and "Matilda, or the Dying Penitent," a poetical epiſtle, publiſhed in a quarto pamphlet, in 1795: all of which are worthy of the author [198] of "The Aboriginal Britons." If this gentleman ſhall prove duly attentive to the cultivation of his talent for poetry, theſe ſpecimens of his early years aſſuredly afford us the higheſt promiſe.
A Baptiſt Miniſter. He was engaged, in the year 1780, in a controverſy with Mr. John Carter, on Infant Baptiſm, reviewed his Strictures on that ſubject, in a pamphlet, and wrote another pam⯑phlet, entitled, Obſervations on Infant Sprinkling; or, an Anſwer to the Reviewer reviewed. Since that time he has written, "The Hiſtory of Antichriſt; or, Free Thoughts on the Corruptions of Chriſtian⯑ity," an octavo pamphlet; a Review of Noble's Memoirs of the Protectoral Houſe of Cromwell, an octavo pamphlet; a Diſcourſe concerning Baptiſm; and Reflections on French Atheiſm and Engliſh Chriſtianity, an octavo pamphlet.
A gentleman celebrated for his proficiency in Eaſtern Languages. He was educated at Wadham College, Oxford, and brought up to the ſtudy of the law. His firſt publication was, "A Specimen of Perſian Poetry, or, Odes of Hafez, with an [199] Engliſh Tranſlation and Paraphraſe," which ap⯑peared in 1774, in a quarto volume. Two years afterward he publiſhed, a Grammar of the Arabic Language, and a year or two after this, a Perſian, Arabic, and Engliſh Dictionary, in two volumes, folio, to which was prefixed a Diſſertation on the Language, Literature, and Manners of the Eaſtern Nations, which was afterward printed, ſeparately, in an octavo volume. Theſe grand performances have put the literary world under the higheſt obli⯑gations to Mr. Richardſon; and the manner in which he has executed them are no leſs honourable to his abilities than to his learning.
Profeſſor of Humanity in the Univerſity of Glaſgow. This gentleman republiſhed, in 1797, in an octavo volume, under one uniform title, with corrections and more commodious arrange⯑ment, "Eſſays on ſome of Shakſpeare's Dramatic Characters," which had appeared ſeparately at diſ⯑tinct times; and the earlieſt of which, publiſhed in 1773, was, we believe, his firſt production. Theſe pieces have gained Profeſſor Richardſon very conſiderable applauſe as a critic, and as a man of taſte. He alſo publiſhed, in 1774, an octavo vo⯑lume of "Poems chiefly Rural," which were fa⯑vourably received; and ten years afterward, " Anec⯑dotes [200] of the Ruſſian Empire," in a ſeries of letters, written from St. Peterſburgh, an octavo volume. Since that time, Profeſſor Richardſon has written the Indians, a tragedy, performed at the Richmond Theatre, and printed in 1790. We need hardly add that this gentleman is an elegant, and an ingenious writer.
Barriſter at Law, and author of the Fugitive, a well-written comedy, acted at Drury Lane, and printed in 1792. He has alſo written, we believe, ſome other dramatic Pieces.
Surgeon, and author of "The Chemical Prin⯑ciples of the Metallic Arts," a light performance, publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1790.
A Bookſeller in London, and a frequent corre⯑ſpondent with periodical publications. His com⯑poſitions are chiefly metrical. In 1787, he pub⯑liſhed, [201] "The Fallen Cottage," a poem, in a quarto pamphlet.
A Baptiſt Miniſter, ſucceſſor to the late Dr. John Gill. He has publiſhed ſome ſingle Sermons, and a Selection of Hymns. He is alſo editor of a work, entitled, the Baptiſt's Annual Regiſter.
Deputy High Bailif of the Dutchy of Lancaſter, and a conveyancer in the Metropolis of ſome diſ⯑tinction. He is a man of taſte and information, but more to be commended for his acuteneſs than for his good-breeding or his candour. We believe his firſt publication was an anonymous quarto pam⯑phlet, in 1782, of Obſervations on the three firſt volumes of Warton's Hiſtory of Engliſh Poetry; which is an ingenious, but, at the ſame time, one of the moſt illiberal productions we ever recollect to have ſeen. Mr. Rittſon has alſo written, anony⯑mouſly, three ſets of Remarks on the Editors of Shakſpeare: the firſt on Mr. Stevens' edition, in 1778, entitled, "Remarks critical and illuſtrative on the Text and Notes of the laſt Edition of Shak⯑ſpeare," an octavo volume; the ſecond on Mr. [202] Reed's republication of that edition, entitled, "The Quip Modeſt, &c." and the third on Mr. Malone's edition, entitled, " Curſory Criticiſms, &c." The laſt of theſe is particularly illiberal. In the year 1788, he publiſhed, with his name, a well-executed Tranſlation with Notes, of the Hymn to Venus, which has been aſcribed to Homer.
The moſt diſtinguiſhed character of Mr. Ritt⯑ſon, in his literary capacity, is that of a judici⯑ous and intelligent compiler. He publiſhed, in the year 1785, a ſelect Collection of Engliſh Songs, in three octavo volumes; and has, ſince that time, edited an octavo volume of Ancient Songs, from the time of King Henry III. to the Revolution; an octavo volume of Pieces of Ancient Popular Poetry; the Engliſh Anthology, a ſelection of poetry, in three ſmall octavo volumes; "Robin Hood," a collection of ancient poems, in two ſmall octavo vo⯑lumes; and a Collection of Scottiſh Songs, with the genuine muſic, in two volumes, duodecimo. All of his publications, except the Tranſlation of the Hymn to Venus, have been anonymous.
A Diſſenting Miniſter of a ſmall congregation at Highgate. He has publiſhed a Sermon againſt Popery; a Sermon on a Cenſorious Temper and Diſpoſition, dedicated to the Biſhop of Landaff; a [203] Sermon on Faith, Hope, and Charity; a Sermon, entitled, "The Goſpel a perfect Law of Liberty;" a volume of Miſcellaneous Works, to which are prefixed Memoirs of his own Life; and "Lord Mayor's Day," an heroic poem, publiſhed in a quarto pamphlet, in 1797. Mr. Rivers is alſo the author of ſeveral anonymous Pamphlets; was a very frequent correſpondent with the newſpaper called the World, while it was under the direction of Captain Topham, ſigning his pieces MARCUS ANTONINUS; and has had a principal ſhare in conducting the Sunday Reformer and the Sunday Recorder, newſpapers. He, moreover, edited "The Beauties of Saurin," a duodecimo volume, pub⯑liſhed in 1797.
Of Wandſworth-Common, Surry. This gen⯑tleman is brother to the Maſter of St. Paul's School, and couſin to the late Provoſt of Eton College, of the ſame name. He was formerly an officer in the army, but has, for many years, quitted the ſervice and devoted his attention, with conſiderable ſucceſs, to the education of youth. He publiſhed, in the year 1782, a tract of ſome merit, entitled," Thoughts upon Creation, &c." and, two years afterward, a thin octavo volume of "Poetical Attempts." The Looker-on, a periodical paper, is dedicated to this gentleman, by his ſon, the author, 'as an humble [204] expreſſion of his love, and a ſtill humbler tribute to manly virtue, and unblemiſhed integrity of life.'
Of Gray's Inn. A gentleman whoſe literary attainments are of very ſingular diſtinction and ex⯑cellence. He is the younger ſon of the ſubject of the preceeding article, was educated at Corpus Chriſti College, Oxford, became a Fellow of that ſociety, and was originally deſtined to the church, which he afterward relinquiſhed in favour of the law. While at the Univerſity, he obtained, about the year 1788, a prize for an Eſſay on Refinement, which is one of the moſt maſterly and elegant per⯑formances we almoſt ever recollect to have ſeen. A few copies only of it were printed for the ſake of pri⯑vate diſtribution. Mr. Roberts was alſo, about that time, a frequent contributor to the Engliſh Review, which was then certainly the beſt-conducted literary journal of the day; and, we believe, he alſo pub⯑liſhed, at the Univerſity, an Account of the Ox⯑ford Marbles, in a duodecimo volume. On leaving College, he travelled, for a ſhort time, on the con⯑tinent; and, ſoon after his return, commenced the publication of his excellent periodical paper, "The Looker-on." No. I. made its appearance, (in fo⯑lio) March 10th, 1792, the firſt twenty-five num⯑bers were publiſhed on Tueſdays and Saturdays, [205] then, after an interval of a few months, it was continued on Saturdays only, and the laſt number was dated, December 21ſt 1793. Of the few con⯑tributors to this work, Mr. Beresford (vide that name) was the chief. The ſecond edition was printed in three duodecimo volumes; and the third, in four, with ſome additions.
Very few, indeed, are, in our opinion, the in⯑ſtances, which the Engliſh language affords, of ſuch finiſhed ſpecimens of eſſay-writing, as are to be found in the Looker-on. The taſte, knowledge, and ingenuity, the ſterling wit, the happy raillery, and the elegance of ſtyle, with which theſe papers are conceived and written, muſt ever characteriſe them as very firſt-rate performances of their kind; while we know of no inſtance, in particular, in which a writer has diſplayed greater power over the feelings of his readers, than in the beautiful and natural ſtory of EUGENIO. The reigning whims and follies of the age have never, in our opinion, ſince the days of Addiſon been combated by the weapons of wit and reaſon with equal addreſs: and, if the 'ur⯑banity of criticiſm, the elegance of morality, and the playfulneſs of alluſion,' which ſo remarkably diſtinguiſh the SPECTATOR, be any where to be looked for ſince thoſe days, it muſt be in the lucu⯑brations of Simon Olivebranch. The RAMBLER is aſſuredly the only periodical paper, which can, by any means, aſpire to the rank of theſe two pro⯑ductions; and, let none incautiouſly detract from [206] the ſolid merit of that performance. It has been truly called a body of ethics: and, to give it the higheſt poſſible praiſe, it is a work whoſe profundity and whoſe compoſition are worthy of the great logician and lexicographer whom it owns for its author. Yet, the charms with which Addiſon inſtructs, have gained him, with moſt readers, a preference to his great ſuc⯑ceſſor; and the Looker-on, with a perfect origi⯑nality of his own, and with the becoming character of a writer of his own time, is ſurely the SPEC⯑TATOR, rather than the RAMBLER of his day.
It is a ſingular and a melancholy conſideration that this work, although favourably received, has not experienced from the public that extraordinary diſtinction to which its extraordinary merit certainly entitled it; for let it be read for our amuſement, for the improvement of our taſte, or for the greater ſakes of our religion and our morals, it ſhall be found to anſwer all our purpoſes with ſuperior excel⯑lence. Some blame has, perhaps, been juſtly beſtowed upon the author, for an occaſional ex⯑ceſs, in the amplification of his ſubjects, and for an over-wrought nicety of ſtyle, too like what may be called a falſe refinement in writing: yet, theſe are but as duſt in the balance. It is not to theſe cauſes, we fear, that we are to look for the evil; but to the taſteleſsneſs and inſipidity of the larger portion of that ſhallow age in which the work was written. Melancholy, indeed, is the reflection that the good taſte, which we once, undoubtedly, [207] poſſeſſed, ſhould, ſo far, have forſaken us, as to neglect ſuch diſtinguiſhed merit!
We ſhall conclude this article by applying to Mr. Roberts the language uſed by one of Mr. Burke's political adverſaries, when ſpeaking of that tranſcendent writer; alledging as our reaſon for ſo doing, that, we know of no LIVING AUTHOR to whom we think them more properly applicable. ‘He is a writer of the moſt ſplendid and une⯑qualled powers; the faſcination and magic of whoſe eloquence cannot be withſtood. His im⯑perial fancy has laid all nature under tribute, and has collected riches from every ſcene of the cre⯑ation, and every walk of art. His images are ſo ſelect, ſo rich with colours dipt in Heaven, that whoever can read his works without rapture may have merit as a reaſoner, but muſt reſign all pretenſions to taſte and ſenſibility.’ *
Of Mancheſter. Barriſter at Law. In conſe⯑quence of an action brought againſt him, by Mr. Walker, Merchant of Mancheſter, and of the Ac⯑count which was publiſhed of the proceedings on the ſubſequent Trial, this gentleman publiſhed, in 1791, a Pamphlet, conſiſting of Supplementary [208] Facts and Obſervations on that occaſion. He has alſo publiſhed, the Fugitives, a comedy, never of⯑fered for repreſentation; and a Charge to the Grand Jury of the Court Leet for the Manor of Mancheſter, delivered at the Michaelmas Court, October 15th, 1788.
Fellow of Eton College, and ſon of the late Provoſt of that ſociety, of the ſame name. He publiſhed, in the year 1795, an octavo volume of Corrections of various Paſſages in the Engliſh Ver⯑ſion of the Old Teſtament, the poſthumous work of his father.
One of the Deputies of the Lord Clerk-Regiſter for keeping the Records of Scotland. He publiſhed in the year 1790, "Proceedings relating to the Peerage of Scotland, from Jan. 16th, 1707, to April 29th 1788, in a quarto volume; a very la⯑borious and a curious work.
Miniſter of Dalmeney. This gentleman pub⯑liſhed, in 1785, Vol. I. of an Enquiry into the Fine Arts; a work, which, we believe, has never been continued, and, for the due execution of which he does not appear to be peculiarly qua⯑lified. In 1793, he publiſhed the Hiſtory of Mary Queen of Scots, in a quarto volume; in which he vindicates the conduct of that Queen, on grounds ſomewhat different from thoſe of her for⯑mer apologiſts. This Hiſtory cannot, however, upon the whole, be ſaid to rank with the beſt pro⯑ductions which the ſubject has afforded us.
Of Mortimer Street, London. We believe this gentleman's firſt publication was a ſingle Ser⯑mon, preached at St. John's Weſtminſter, on the General Faſt, 1761. In 1785, he publiſhed a uſe⯑ful Eſſay on Punctuation, which has been favour⯑ably received, and has ſeen four editions. Having, in a note in this Eſſay, appeared to queſtion the authenticity of the Arundelian Marbles, he was addreſſed, on the ſubject, in the Gentleman's Ma⯑gazine, [210] and, in 1788, he publiſhed, "The Parian Chronicle," with a Diſſertation concerning its au⯑thenticity, in an octavo volume, in which he en⯑larged on the above opinion, and, in conſequence, involved himſelf in a controverſy with Mr. Hewlett, (vide that name). Mr. Robertſon diſplayed, upon this occaſion, great candour and conſiderable learn⯑ing. In 1795, he publiſhed a Tranſlation, from the French, with Notes, of the Adventures of Telema⯑chus, in two duodecimo volumes, founded on the Tranſlation of Littlebury and Boyer, but greatly im⯑proved.
Of Chriſt Church College, Oxford. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1792, in a quarto volume, Sectionum Co⯑nicarum Libri ſeptem. Accedit Tractatus de Sectionibus Conicis, et de Scriptoribus qui earum doctrinam tra⯑diderunt. This Treatiſe on the Conic Sections, one of the very few books produced by the Uni⯑verſity of Oxford, on ſubjects of ſcience, though not an unvaluable performance, will, we can ven⯑ture to ſay, be read by very few.
Surgeon in his Majeſty's Navy. He publiſhed, in 1778, in a quarto pamphlet, "A Phyſical [211] journal," kept on board the ſhip, Rainbow, dur⯑ing three voyages to the coaſt of Africa and the Weſt Indies; in 1783, an octavo volume of Obſer⯑vations on the Jail, Hoſpital, or Ship Fever; and, in 1792, an Eſſay on Fevers, in an octavo volume, in which he rejects every ſyſtem except his own.
The author of a Topographical Survey of the great Road from London to Bath and Briſtol, with Plates and Maps, publiſhed in two octavo volumes, in 1792. Theſe are elegant volumes.
The author of an agreeable octavo volume, en⯑titled, "A Tour through the Iſle of Man," with a Review of the Mank's Hiſtory, which was pub⯑liſhed in 1794. We believe Mr. Robertſon had publiſhed an octavo volume of Poems, about ten years previouſly.
Miniſter of Sleighs near Whitby, Yorkſhire, and author of "Seven Sermons, preached on particular [212] Occaſions," publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1795. Some of theſe diſcourſes, which are very reſpect⯑able compoſitions, had appeared before, ſingly.
Formerly a Diſſenting Miniſter, and Tutor at the Diſſenting Academy at Daventry, Northamp⯑tonſhire. He pubſlihed, in 1784, a Treatiſe on Baptiſm, abridged from the original manuſcript of the late Mr. Matthew Henry, in a duodecimo volume.
ROBINSON, MATTHEW, MONTAGU. —See Montagu.
A Nobleman, conſpicuous for his eccentricities, His Lordſhip is the author of ſome ſpirited Politi⯑cal Pamphlets.
The maiden name of this celebrated lady, who is deſcended from a very reſpectable family, was Darby. Her father loſt his fortune in promoting a ſcheme for the commercial advantage of this coun⯑try, and, afterward, accepted the command of a ſeventy-four-gun ſhip, in the ſervice of the late Empreſs of Ruſſia. Her mother is grand daughter to Catharine Seys, of Boverton Caſtle in Glamor⯑ganſhire; whoſe ſiſter, Ann Seys, a woman cele⯑brated for her virtues and accompliſhments, married Lord King, then Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. Mrs. Robinſon was born in the College Green, Briſtol, received the early part of her educa⯑tion in that city, and, at the age of fifteen, married her preſent huſband, who was then a ſtudent in Lincoln's Inn. Shortly afterward, ſhe thought it proper to exerciſe her talents on the ſtage, and came out in Juliet, under the particular patronage of the Dutcheſs of Devonſhire, on the 10th of De⯑cember, 1776. For three ſeaſons ſhe continued to perform the parts of Lady Macbeth, Imogen, Ro⯑ſalind, Cordelia, Ophelia, Viola, Palmira, the Iriſh Widow, Perdita, &c. with great applauſe; and, having in the latter character, attracted by her ele⯑gance and beauty, the notice of a certain diſtin⯑guiſhed FLORIZEL, ſhe quitted the ſtage at a [214] time when ſhe was riſing rapidly in the eſtimation of the public.
Of the literary productions of Mrs. Robinſon, we believe, the firſt was a ſmall octavo volume of "Poems," publiſhed in 1775. Two years after⯑ward ſhe wrote "Captivity," a poem, and Celadon and Lydia, a tale, which were printed together, in a quarto pamphlet, dedicated to her patroneſs, the Dutcheſs of Devonſhire. In 1778, ſhe brought out a farce, entitled, "The Lucky Eſcape," for her own benefit, at Drury Lane. None of theſe productions appear to have attracted that notice, by which the later writings of their fair author have been ſo re⯑markably diſtinguiſhed; and her pen appears to have been unemployed till about the year 1787, when ſhe figured in the newſpaper, THE WORLD, under the ſignature, Anna Matilda. For an ac⯑count of the correſpondence with Delia Cruſca, kept up from poetical ſympathy, at intervals, for two years, we refer the reader to our memoir of Mr. Merry; and ſhall only obſerve, that we think her poems in the collection, entitled, "The Britiſh Album," certainly claim the ſecond place in point of merit. Mrs. Robinſon alſo produced many pieces about this time in THE ORACLE, under the ſignatures Laura Maria, Julia, Laura, Oberon, &c. In 1790, ſhe publiſhed a poem, inſcribed to Mr. Merry, under the title, Ainſi va le Monde; and, in the year following, produced her elegant octavo vo⯑lume of "Poems," which was honoured by a [215] very ſplendid liſt of ſubſcribers. The poetical productions with which Mrs. Robinſon has fa⯑voured the world, ſince that publication, are, a Monody to the Memory of Sir Joſhua Reynolds; Sight, the Cavern of Woe, and Solitude, pub⯑liſhed together, in a quarto pamphlet; Modern Manners, a poem, by Horace Juvenal; a Monody to the Memory of the late Queen of France; and Vol. II. of "Poems," in which ſome of theſe pieces are reprinted. In the year 1792, Mrs. Ro⯑binſon publiſhed her firſt novel, "Vancenza;" and has, ſince that time, written, "The Widow," "An⯑gelina," and "Hubert de Sevrac," novels; and "The Sicilian Lover," a tragedy. Several popular Pamphlets have alſo been attributed to her pen.
The beauty of Mrs. Robinſon's poetry has ob⯑tained her the dignified appellation of THE ENG⯑LISH SAPPHO. She is ſometimes feeble, and ſome⯑times degenerates into a falſe taſte; but the poetic imagery, the feeling and tenderneſs, the warmth and elegance, and, above all, the delicacy of ex⯑preſſion, which breathe through her poems can ſeldom fail to lay her reader under a bountiful contribution of applauſe. As a novel-writer, we think this lady much leſs ſucceſsful. Her VAN⯑CENZA ſpeedily reached a third edition, becauſe it was the work of Mrs. Robinſon; but ſurely in falls greatly ſhort of many of her countrywomen, this, as well as in her ſubſequent attempts, ſhe in the talent of pleaſing. Her tragedy (The Si⯑cilian [216] Lover) is a very favourable ſpecimen, in⯑deed, of her talent in that line of compoſition!
Daughter of the ſubject of the proceeding ar⯑ticle, and a young lady whoſe literary talents and accompliſhments are ſaid to vie with her perſonal attractions. She publiſhed, in 1794, "The Shrine of Bertha," a novel of ſome merit, in two duode⯑cimo volumes, interſperſed with ſome elegant poe⯑try by her mother.
Vicar of St. Mary, Leiceſter, and formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1789, Vol. I. of "Scripture Characters; or, a practical Improvement of the principal Hiſ⯑tories of the Old Teſtament, from Adam to Jo⯑ſhua incluſive," in duodecimo; to which he has ſince added three more volumes, and has likewiſe reprinted the work, in four volumes, octavo. Mr. Robinſon alſo printed, in 1797, "A Serious Exhortation to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, with reference to the approaching Faſt."
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1782, a poem, entitled, "The Beauties of Painting;" and has, ſince that time, written, "Handel's Ghoſt," an ode; the Caſſina, a poem; "A Tour to the Iſle of Love," a ſpecies of tale; and "Cometilla, or Views of Nature," an Introduction to Aſtronomy, the moſt valuable parts of which are drawn from M. de la Lande's Abregè d' Aſtronomie.
The author of Love Fragments; Sydney St. Aubyn, a novel; and ſome other ſmall pieces.
Secretary to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Profeſſor of Natural Philoſophy in the Univerſity. This gentleman, in the early part of his life, ac⯑companied the late Admiral Sir Charles Knowles, as private ſecretary, when he went to Ruſſia for the purpoſe of regulating the navy, and reſided for ſome time, in that capacity at St. Peterſburgh: he has alſo reſided a good deal in Germany. Pro⯑feſſor [218] Robiſon is diſtinguiſhed for his accurate and ex⯑tenſive knowledge; eſpecially on ſubjects of ſcience. He contributed to the Encyclopaedia Britannica the valuable articles, Phyſics, Pneumatics, Preceſſion of the Equinoxes, Projectiles, Pumps, Reſiſtance of Fluids, River, Roof, Rope-making, Rotation, Seaman⯑ſhip, Signals, Sound, Specific-Gravity, Statics, Steam, Steam-engine, Strength of Materials, Teleſcope, Tide, Articulating-Trumpet, Variation of the Compaſs, and Water-Works; alſo Philoſophy, in aſſociation with Dr. Gleig. In the Autumn of the year 1797, Pro⯑feſſor Robiſon publiſhed an octavo volume, entitled, "Proofs of a Conſpiracy againſt all the Religions and Governments of Europe, carried on in the ſe⯑cret Meetings of Free-maſons, Illuminati, and Reading Societies: collected from good Authori⯑ties." This volume, has been favourably re⯑ceived; and although too haſty a performance for a work of ſo much conſequence, is well enti⯑tled both from its ſubject and by its authenticity, to the ſerious attention of every reader. It ar⯑rives at the ſame remarkable concluſion as the ce⯑lebrated Memoirs of the Abbé Barruel illuſtrating the Hiſtory of Jacobiniſm, though the authors were perfectly unconnected with each other, and pur⯑ſued their enquiries in very different ways. It has raiſed (we are ſorry for ſuch an appearance) a conſiderable clamour and enmity againſt the Pro⯑feſſor; though it was written, as we are fully convin⯑ced, from the beſt of motives. We cannot conclude [219] this article without obſerving that the principles and honeſt zeal, which Profeſſor Robiſon has diſplayed upon this occaſion, are highly creditable to him, and merit the warmeſt acknowledgements from ſociety in general. We have underſtood that he de⯑ſigns to favour the world, at ſome time or other, with a Life of Sir Iſaac Newton, a work much wanted from a man of Science, and for the due execution of which the Profeſſor is peculiarly well-qualified.
A partner in the Banking-houſe of Meſſrs. Welch and Co., and a poet of very conſiderable diſtinction. He is a ſon of the Mr. Rogers who was the unſucceſsful candidate for Coventry, in op⯑poſition to Colonel Holroyd, (now Lord Sheffield), in the election for that city, ſo celebrated for riot and ſtrenuous contention. Mr. Rogers has written "The Pleaſures of Memory," a poem, which has been received with very uncommon applauſe, and is one of the moſt elegant and charming produc⯑tions, with which the votaries of the Muſes have, for many years, favoured the public. This poem made its firſt appearance in 1793, and has been NINE times reprinted, in a very elegant duodecimo volume, with the addition of a few ſmaller pieces ſome of which had appeared before, ſeparately and anonymouſly.
ROKEBY, LORD.—See Robinſon.
Of Liverpool. A gentleman who has acquired great and merited renown in the literary world, by the maſterly manner in which he has, of late, ex⯑hibited to the public, the Life and Labours of Lo⯑renzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent. Mr. Roſcoe was brought up to the profeſſion of an attorney, but does not, we believe, at preſent, prac⯑tice in that line. The above-mentioned work does the higheſt credit to his literary talents, and entitles him to rank with the very firſt writers on European Hiſtory. The circumſtances attending this publi⯑cation, are not among the leaſt ſingular in the annals of literature. The full, diſtinct, and accurate idea afforded us, with ſuch genius and learning, of the intereſting ſubject treated in theſe volumes, is the reſult of diſcoveries made in the literature of one of the moſt polite and learned nations of Europe, by a foreigner who had never viſited that country! By a gentleman who was not courting literature in academical bowers, but devoting his time to an active and a laborious profeſſion! Mr. Clarke a banker of Liverpool, and ſon of the late banker of the ſame name, a gentleman of very extenſive [221] information, and the intimate friend of Mr. Roſcoe, had paid a viſit to Italy, and had fixed his winter reſidence at Florence. It was through the aſſiduity of this gentleman, that Mr. Roſcoe obtained his large ſtock of original and intereſting information; as well as the beautiful Poems of Lorenzo de' Me⯑dici (with copies of which, as well as with beau⯑tiful and exact Tranſlations of them, he has enriched his work) the originals of which are depoſited in the Laurentian Library, although the former editiors appear not to have had the ſlighteſt information re⯑ſpecting them! The work made its firſt appearance in 1795, in two volumes, quarto, under the title, "The Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Mag⯑nificent." Such, we have underſtood, was the au⯑thor's diffidence of its ſucceſs, that the firſt im⯑preſſion conſiſted of only two hundred and fifty co⯑pies! So ſmall a number diſappeared very ſoon after publication; and, although the work was printed in the expenſive ſtyle and ſold at a propor⯑tional price, it has ſeen three editions, even in times ſo unpropitious as the preſent. Nor (as every reader can foretel) has it obtained early po⯑pularity, without the proſpect of a laſting reputation. It holds the place which it fills in the Hiſtory of Europe by too lawful a tenure ever to renounce its privileges.
The celebrated and excellent Letter to Mr. Pitt, BY JASPER WILSON, has been improperly attributed to Mr. Roſcoe. It is the production of [222] his friend Dr. James Currie of Liverpool; and, we believe, that the largeſt ſhare he had in that publication was a peruſal of the original copy, and ſome little aſſiſtance he may have given in reviſing the ſheets, as they came from the preſs. Mr. Roſ⯑coe has been engaged, for ſome time, we under⯑ſtand, upon a Life of Burns the Scotch poet.
Clerk of the Parliaments, Joint Secretary to the Treaſury, and late Maſter of the Pleas-Office. This gentleman is a remarkable inſtance of the power of genius, in reſcuing its poſſeſſor from the obſcurity, which he ſhall ſeem to have in⯑herited by his birth. We firſt hear of him in the capacity of Purſer to a man of war, a ſi⯑tuation, from whence he roſe, by many gradations to his preſent eminence. Mr. Roſe held the ſame appointment under the Marquis of Lanſdown, which he has, at preſent, under Mr. Pitt. He is ſuppoſed to have written a pamphlet, which was publiſhed in the year 1785, entitled, "The pro⯑poſed Syſtem of Trade with Ireland Explained.
One of the Maſters of Merchant Taylor's School, Rector of St. Martin's Outwich, and evening Preacher at St. Michael's, Cornhill. He has written ſome dramatic Pieces, which have been favourably received.
Of Lincoln's Inn. The editor of the ſecond edition of Comyns' Reports of Caſes argued and adjudged in the Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, publiſhed in 1792, in two octavo volumes, on which he has beſtowed great and commendable pains.
Profeſſor of Natural Philoſophy in the Univer⯑ſity of St. Andrew. He publiſhed, in the year 1790, a very ſenſible Letter to Mr. William Smellie, vindicating the Sexes of Plants, and refuting that gentleman's arguments againſt that doctrine. He is alſo the author of the articles Oxygen and Phlo⯑giſton in the new Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Of Gray's Inn. Late of Trinity College, Cam⯑bridge; and, formerly, of Weſtminſter School. We believe this gentleman's firſt attempts at author⯑ſhip were ſome contributions to the Flagellant, a mi⯑ſerable periodical paper, by the Weſtminſter Scholars, which was publiſhed in 1792, and which reached about eight or nine numbers. In 1797, Mr. Rough publiſhed "Lorenzino di Medici, and other Poems," in a ſmall duodecimo volume, dedicated to Mr. Roſcoe, to whom Mr. Rough is wholly unknown, but for whoſe character, as an author, he thus expreſſes his great eſteem. Notwithſtanding Mr. Rough's hopes that his tragedy has ſome claim to the honours of a legitimate drama, we muſt beg leave to ſay of his volume, that the dedication is abſurd, the four firſt acts of the tragedy woefully dull, and the ſonnets which follow, pretty, rather than otherwiſe. He is alſo the writer of the poe⯑try in the Monthly Magazine, ſigned W. R. GRAY'S-INN. Mr. Rough has announced his in⯑tention of publiſhing "A comparative View, in a Series of Letters, of the moral and metaphyſical Opinions of Hume, Godwin, and Hartley;" on [225] which occaſion we beg leave to repeat the trite maxim of Horace,
A Veteran in political warfare. We believe his firſt publication was a maſterly Letter to the Jurors of Great Britain, occaſioned by an opinion of the Court of King's Bench, read by Lord Chief Juſtice Mansfield, in the caſe of the King and Woodfall; which appeared anonymouſly, in 1771, and was reprinted with the ſanction of his name, in 1785. In the year 1784, Mr. Rous printed a well-written tract, entitled, "A candid Inveſtiga⯑tion of the preſent prevailing Topic (Secret Influ⯑ence) the firſt edition of which was diſtributed, but not ſold; and it was afterward reprinted in a ſhil⯑ling-pamphlet. He has alſo written, "Thoughts on Government," occaſioned by Mr. Burke's REFLECTIONS, an octavo pamphlet, which was very favourably received; and a Letter to Mr. Burke, in Reply to his Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs,
Author of a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1786, en⯑titled, "Obſervations on the Commutation Pro⯑ject;" and of another pamphlet, publiſhed three years afterward, entitled, "An Explanation of the miſtaken Principle on which the Commutation Act was founded, &c." Theſe performances, in op⯑poſition to the meaſures of adminiſtration, were ſuppoſed to contain the ſtrongeſt arguments urged on that ſide of the queſtion.
Nephew to the celebrated French writer of the ſame ſirname. He was employed by Mr. John Nichols to copy the Epitaphs in Iſlington Church and Church-yard. How faithfully he executed this taſk is evident from the copious enumeration of them, which is annexed to the Hiſtory and Anti⯑quities of Canonbury-houſe, Iſlington.
Rector of Ringſhall in Suffolk, and a relative of the celebrated Poet of the ſame ſirname. He [227] publiſhed, in 1796, two octavo volumes of "Poems," in which, in The Poet's Lamentation, he deſcribes his own melancholy ſituation, a tale which will melt the coldeſt boſom.
Member of the Univerſity of Oxford, the Royal College of Phyſicians in London, &c. and a volu⯑minous, though, by no means, a very diſtinguiſhed writer on Medical Subjects. We believe his firſt publication was an Eſſay on the Cure of Ulcerated Legs without Reſt, publiſhed in an octavo pam⯑phlet, in 1770. Since that time, he has written a Treatiſe on the Cure of the Gonorrhoea; an Eſſay on the Ophthalmia; a Treatiſe on the Diſeaſes of the Breaſts of Women; a Treatiſe on the Diſeaſes of the Eyes (lately reprinted and enlarged); a Letter to Dr. W. Hunter, occaſioned by the Death of Lady Holland; a ſecond Letter to the ſame; Medical Advice for the Army and Navy; ſeventy-four ſelect Caſes, with the Manner of Cure; the Gout and Rheumatiſm cured, &c.; a Treatiſe on the ulcerated Sore Throat; a Treatiſe on female, nervous, hyſterical, hypochondriacal, bilious, con⯑vulſive Diſeaſes, &c.; "Truth vindicated, or, the ſpecific Differences of mental Diſeaſes aſcertained," in reply to ſome anonymous attacks; a Treatiſe on the Management of Female Breaſts during Child⯑bed; [228] a Treatiſe on the regular, irregular, atonic, and flying Gout; the Cauſes of the great Number of Deaths among Adults and Children, in putrid Scar⯑let Fevers and ulcerated Sore Throats explained; a Treatiſe on the Cauſes and Cure of Swelled Legs; the rational and improved Practice of Phyſic, in four volumes, octavo; and Schola Medicinae Uni⯑verſalis, in two volumes, quarto.
Formerly Miſs Beverley. She has written the Inquiſitor, a novel, publiſhed in 1788; an octavo volume of pieces, which ſhe was pleaſed to call POEMS, publiſhed in the ſame year; and (we be⯑lieve) ſome other pieces.
Botaniſt in the Carnatic to the Eaſt India Com⯑pany. He is publiſhing a very beautiful and ſplen⯑did work (in folio), entitled, "Plants of the Coaſt of Coromandel," It is a ſelection from drawings and deſcriptions preſented to the Eaſt India Direc⯑tors, and is publiſhed by their order under the direc⯑tion of Sir Joſeph Banks. This work, beſide the attention of the celebrated naturaliſt who ſuperin⯑tends it, has had the advantage of the collective la⯑bours [229] of three excellent botaniſts, viz. of Johne Gerrard Koeing, a pupil of Linné, who be⯑queathed his MSS. and ſpecimens to Sir Joſeph Banks; of Dr. Ruſſell who ſucceeded him in the ſervice of the Eaſt India Company, and who planned the work; and laſtly, of the ſubject of this article, who ſucceeded Dr. Ruſſell, and who ex⯑ecutes the work with very great ability. Three faſciculi of this publication, each containing twen⯑ty-five plates, have already made their appearance.
Vicar of Diddlebury, and Reader at Ludlow, in the county of Salop. This gentleman publiſhed in 1791, the ſecond edition of "Sermons on prac⯑tical Subjects," in two volumes, octavo. The firſt edition formed only one volume, and appeared in 1786. Theſe diſcourſes have no inconſiderable pretenſions to merit.
The author of a pleaſing and an highly pictu⯑reſque Tour to the Lakes of Weſtmoreland, Lan⯑caſhire, and Cumberland.
One of his Majeſty's Juſtices of the Peace for the counties of Eſſex and Suffolk, and author of a very uſeful and intereſting Hiſtory of the Poor, their Rights, Duties, and the Laws reſpecting them, in a ſeries of letters. The earlier letters of which this work conſiſts were originally pub⯑liſhed in THE ANNALS OF AGRICULTURE. The work was afterward printed in two volumes, oc⯑tavo, of which the firſt appeared in 1793, and the ſecond in the year following; and it was reprinted in 1797, in a quarto volume, corrected and con⯑tinued to that time. It contains much valuable knowledge, and is highly creditable to the huma⯑nity as well as to the abilities of its author.
RUMFORD, COUNT.—See Thompſon.
Serjeant at Law. The editor of Sir Matthew Hale's Hiſtory of the Common Law; which he firſt publiſhed and in 1779, his edition was reprinted a fifth time, in 1794. Mr. Runnington alſo pub⯑liſhed, a Treatiſe on the Action of Ejectment, in [231] an octavo volume, in 1781; and, in 1795, he pro⯑duced the Hiſtory, Principles, and Practice (an⯑cient and modern) of the legal Remedy by Eject⯑ment, an octavo volume.
Profeſſor of the Inſtitutes of Medicine, and of Clinical Practice in the Univerſity of Pennſylvania; and a writer of very great diſtinction on medical ſubjects. We believe his firſt publication was a Diſſertation on the Spaſmodic Aſthma of Children, which was originally printed in a Pennſyvania newſ⯑paper, and, in 1770, in a ſhilling pamphlet. Dr. Ruſh has, ſince that time, publiſhed an Oration delivered before the American Philoſophical Soci⯑ety at Philadelphia, Feb. 27th, 1786; an Enquiry into the Effects of public Puniſhments upon Cri⯑minals, and upon Society, an octavo pamphlet; an Account of the Sugar Maple Tree of the United States, an octavo pamphlet; a Tract on the Pu⯑niſhment of Murder by Death; an Account of the Bilious, Remitting, Yellow Fever, as it appeared in the City of Philadelphia, in 1793, an octavo vo⯑lume; and "Medical Inquiries and Obſervations," in four volumes, octavo, ſome of which are repub⯑lications of the works before mentioned.
Surgeon, and author of a practical Eſſay on a certain Diſeaſe of the Bones called Necroſis, pub⯑liſhed in an octavo volume, in 1794, a performance which does him very great credit.
Formerly Phyſician to the Britiſh Factory at Aleppo. He publiſhed, in 1791, a valuable Trea⯑tiſe on the Plague, in a quarto volume; and, three years afterward, the ſecond edition, in two vo⯑lumes, quarto, reviſed, enlarged, and illuſtrated with notes, of his late brother's (Dr. Alexander Ruſſell) Natural Hiſtory of Aleppo.
Formerly Maſter of an Academy at Uxbridge, and a Clergyman of the Church of Scotland. He has written a View of Ancient Hiſtory, a work of conſiderable judgement and elegance, in two vo⯑lumes, octavo, the firſt of which was publiſhed in 1788, and the ſecond three years afterward. Pre⯑viouſly to this publication, Dr. Rutherford had [233] printed a ſingle Sermon preached December 22d, 1780, at the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Tho⯑mas Rutledge.
The author of a volume of Practical Sermons, on ſelect paſſages of Scripture, of ſome merit, publiſhed in 1794. He alſo publiſhed an Ordina⯑tion Sermon, in 1787. The ſentiments of Mr. Rutledge are calviniſtical.
A Druggiſt, in Upper Thames Street. He has publiſhed, anonymouſly, a pamphlet, occaſioned by Mr. Clayton's Sermons; and ſeveral Poems. In 1795, he produced with his name, "The Sym⯑pathy of Prieſts," a pamphlet addreſſed to Thomas Fyſhe Palmer, Port Jackſon, to which he added "Odes," written in 1792. His verſes are not without merit. At the memorable meeting of Merchants at Merchant Taylor's Hall, for the purpoſe of ſigning a declaration of attachment to the Conſtitution, Mr. John Towel Rutt was the only perſon preſent who expreſſed diſſatisfaction at the meaſure.
A medical writer of reputation. He publiſhed, in 1787, a valuable Enquiry into the Nature, Cauſes, and Cure of the Conſumption of the Lungs, an octavo volume, which is, in fact, a comment on what Dr. Cullen has offered on the ſame ſubject, in his Firſt Lines of the Practice of Phyſic; and, in an Appendix to which, Dr. Ryan combats ſome opinions advanced by Dr. Reid, in his Eſſay on the Phthiſis Pulmonalis. He alſo pub⯑liſhed, in the year 1793, Obſervations on the Hiſ⯑tory and Cure of the Aſthma, in an octavo volume.
Prebendary of St. Patrick, and Miniſter of the pariſh of St. Luke, Dublin. This gentleman has written, "The Hiſtory of the Effects of Religion on Mankind," in two octavo volumes, the firſt of which was publiſhed in 1788, and the ſecond in 1793. The tendency of this work is to prove from a direct appeal to hiſtorical facts that the actual operation of Chriſtianity on mankind has been highly beneficial; and, though not unexceptionably, it is very reſpectably executed. The praiſe-worthy exertions of Dr. Ryan, in ſupport of religion have [235] been rewarded by academical honours, and conſi⯑derable church preferment.
A Baptiſt Miniſter of Briſtol, ſon of the late John Ryland of Northampton. He has publiſhed ſeveral calviniſtical Tracts and Sermons.
Surgeon, and a medical writer of very queſtion⯑able reputation. He publiſhed, in 1775, an Intro⯑duction to the Study of Pathology; ſince which time, he has written a Treatiſe on Medical Educa⯑tion; Tranſplantation, or poor Crocus pluckt up by the Root, a ſhilling pamphlet reciting his caſe, when, having been ſurgeon to the Conqueſtadore guardſhip, he was diſmiſſed the ſervice on account of a miſunderſtanding with the Admiral; a Letter to the Commiſſioners for ſick and wounded Sea⯑men; a Treatiſe on the Section of the Symphyſis of the Oſſa Pubis; Chemical Reflections on the Sea Scurvy, Stone and Gravel, &c.; a Treatiſe on Indigeſtion and the Hypochondriac Diſeaſe; a Treatiſe on the Gout; Phyſiological Conjectures; and a ſhort Account of the Method of treating Scrofula.
OF Wadham College, Oxford. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1796, a Hebrew Grammar (with the vowel-points) for the Uſe of Weſtminſter School, in an octavo volume; and is editing, by ſubſcrip⯑tion, a new and elegant edition of Vitarum Plutarchi Epitome, &c. in large octavo.
An Itinerant Teacher of the French Language, and formerly Maſter of an Academy in Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell. He publiſhed, in 1773, "Rules for the French Genders;" ſince which time, he has written, the French Teacher's Aſſi⯑ſtant; the Expeditious Accomptant; a Footſtep to the French Language; a Syſtem of the French Language, in an octavo volume; and Stemmata Lati⯑nitatis, an Etymological Latin Dictionary, in two large octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1796. The laſt of theſe is a very uſeful work.
Of Lincoln's Inn. The author of a well-written Eſſay on the Nature and Laws of Uſes and Truſts, which was publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1791; and editor of the third edition of Atkyns' Reports, in three volumes, royal octavo, a taſk which he has performed with great diligence and accuracy.
Preacher at the New Ebury Chapel, near Sloane Square, Chelſea, (which houſe of worſhip was, we believe, built by him). Chaplain to the Viſcounteſs Dowager Hereford, and formerly of Baliol College, Oxford. He has publiſhed three ſingle Sermons, the firſt or which was preached in 1784, and the ſecond in 1792, at the opening of the above-mentioned chapel. He has alſo printed a ſmall volume of Hymns for the Uſe of his Con⯑gregation; in which, the name of the reſpective writer being affixed to each poem, we meet with Milton, Pope, Dryden, Young, &c and, ſome⯑times, SANDILANDS!!!
The author of a very beautiful dramatic poem, which has been much admired, entitled, "The Mine." It took its riſe from a paragraph in a public print, ſtating that a nobleman of great rank at Vienna had been condemned to the mines; and that his wife, a Lady of high extraction, and in the bloom of youth and beauty, had taken the deſperate reſolution of ſharing his face, and of ac⯑companying him to thoſe abodes of wretchedneſs. This poem was firſt publiſhed (in quarto), in 1785; and has, ſince that time, been reprinted, with the addition of two Hiſtoric Odes, which are not unworthy of Gray, in a duodecimo vo⯑lume. The Mine is a ſucceſsful attempt to unite poety and ſcience. Its principal ſubjects are the wonders of the foſſil kingdom; and the manner in which it is executed does great honour to the learning and genius of the writer, and, fre⯑quently, diſcovers in him very uncommon powers of expreſſion.
Of Clifford's Inn. The author of a very com⯑plete Introduction to the Knowledge of the French [239] Language, comprized in four diſtinct octavo vo⯑lumes, viz. his edition of Holder's Syſtem of French Accidence and Syntax; Thèmes François et Anglois; "Claſſical Exerciſes upon the Rules of the French Syntax;" and "The Guide to Satis' Claſſical Exerciſes."
Surgeon to the Magdalen Hoſpital, and author of "A Diſſertation on the Univerſe in general, and on the Proceſſion of the Elements in parti⯑cular," publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1795, a work, by which he ſeems to hold modern ſcience in ſmall eſteem, and to be an admirer of ancient metaphyſics.
Senior Phyſician to Guy's Hoſpital. This gen⯑tleman publiſhed, in 1767, a Tranſlation of Plenck's Method of giving Mercury in Venereal Caſes; and has, ſince that time, written an Anſwer to Geach and Alcock's Obſervations on Dr. Baker's Eſſay on the Devonſhire Cholic; Obſervationes de Antimonio; a Treatiſe on the red Peruvian Bark; a Treatiſe on the Mephetic Acid; and a valuable [240] Treatiſe on the Structure, Oeconomy, and Diſeaſes of the Liver, which ſpeedily reached a ſecond edition.
This gentleman publiſhed, in the year 1784, "Obſervations on the Police, or Civil Govern⯑ment of Weſtminſter," in a quarto pamphlet, which reached a ſecond edition in 1792. He has alſo written Obſervations on Dr. Price's Revolu⯑tion Sermon; Lindor and Adelaide, a moral tale, in which are exhibited the effects of the French Revolution on the Peaſantry of France; and an oc⯑tavo volume of Eſſays literary and political. The latter of theſe productions concludes with a ſtate⯑ments of the ill-return experienced by Mr. Sayer, for his ſervices as counſel on the part of Lord Hood, before a Weſtminſter election-committee in the year 1789.
We believe the firſt publication of this gentle⯑man, was a quarto tract, which appeared in 1790. entitled, "Dramatic Sketches of the Ancient Nor⯑thern Mythology," a work very highly to the cre⯑dit of his taſte, and his poetic genius. Two years afterward, he reprinted theſe Sketches, in an oc⯑tavo [241] volume, with the addition of two Monodra⯑mas, and ſeveral ſmaller poetical pieces, under the title, "Poems." Since that time, Dr. Sayers has publiſhed an octavo volume of Diſquiſitions, Me⯑taphyſical and Literary, a work likewiſe greatly to the credit of his talents.
Formerly a Major in the ſervice of the Eaſt In⯑dia Company, and alſo formerly a Member of Par⯑liament. He was, for ſome years, agent to Mr. Haſtings, when that gentleman was Governor-ge⯑neral of Bengal, has always been his warm de⯑fender, and, previous to his trial, diſplayed very un⯑common diligence and ability in ſupporting the cauſe of his abſent friend. While in this capacity, he publiſhed ſeveral political pamphlets, the firſt of which appeared in 1782, under the title, "A ſhort Review of the Tranſactions in Bengal during the laſt ten years." This was followed by two Letters to Mr. Burke, in Defence of Mr. Haſ⯑tings; a Letter to Mr. Fox; a Narrative of Tranſ⯑actions in Bengal; two Replies to Speeches by Mr. Burke; and "The Conduct of his Majeſty's late Miniſters conſidered, as it affected the Eaſt India Company and Mr. Haſtings," (publiſhed in 1784). Several of his Speeches in Parliament alſo, about this time, reached the preſs; and innume⯑rable [242] letters, paragraphs, puffs, and ſquibs, which appeared in the newſpapers, were attributed to him. A very curious bill of the latter, to the amount of ſeveral hundred pounds, was publiſhed in 1787, by the Editor of the Morning Herald. Could perſeverance and confidence have gained a cauſe, the triumph of the indefatigable Major would have been complete; and, accordingly, they had their weight while the queſtion reſpecting Mr. Haſtings remained in looſe and general terms. It has, however, been imputed to Major Scott, that, notwithſtanding the temerity of his zeal, he was conſiderably inſtrumental in bringing his Principal into the miſerable ſituation, which he was ſo long conſtrained to endure.
The pamphlets which he has written ſince thoſe already mentioned, have been Obſervations on Mr. Sheridan's Comparative Statement of the two India Bills; ſeven Letters on the Regency; three Letters to Mr. Fox; Letters to Dodſley in Refutation of certain Miſrepreſentations in the An⯑nual Regiſter; a Letter to Mr. Francis; two Let⯑ters to G. Hardinge, Eſq.; a Letter to Mr. Burke; and Obſervations on Belſham's Memoirs of the Reign of George III. The lateſt of Major Scott's productions, as well as the firſt, is in the cauſe of his friend Mr. Haſtings; and he very properly aſ⯑ſerts, that if Mr. Belſham aſpires to the character of an impartial hiſtorian, he ſhould ſtudiouſly re⯑viſe every paſſage of his work that is calculated [243] to convey to poſterity an injurious reflection on the conduct and principles of the late Governor-gene⯑ral. The world knows that they have ſtood the teſt of the moſt rigorous examination.
Captain in the Eaſt India Company's Service, Perſian Secretary to the late Governor-general, Warren Haſtings, Eſq. and Member of the Aſi⯑atic Society in Calcutta. This gentleman pub⯑liſhed, in 1794, in two volumes, quarto, Feriſhta's Hiſtory of Dekkan, from the firſt Mahummedan Conqueſts, with a continuation; a work which he has executed with great credit to himſelf.
A Methodiſt Clergyman, Chaplain to the Lock Hoſpital, and formerly Curate of Weſton Under⯑wood and Ravenſtone, Bucks. He publiſhed, in 1779, a miſerable farrago, under the title, "The Force of Truth," which is a narrative of his own change of ſentiments. He has, ſince that time, printed ſeveral ſingle Sermons, an Anſwer to Paine's Age of Reaſon, and, we believe, ſome other theological Tracts.
Barriſter at Law. Author of a uſeful work (on Crompton's plan of Practice-common-placed) entitled, "The Practice of the Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas," in two volumes, oc⯑tavo, the firſt part of which was publiſhed in 1792. He had previouſly publiſhed (in 1789) an Analy⯑ſis of the above-mentioned Practice, which is an outline of his ſubſequent production.
A lady who has acquired conſiderable reputa⯑tion by her Poetical Talents; and who has alſo been celebrated for her great excellence in the art of reading. She is the daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Seward, Rector of Eyam in Derbyſhire, Prebendary of Saliſbury, and Canon Reſidentiary of Litchfield. From this parent ſhe received the advantage of a good education, diſcovered early ſymptoms of the rhyming propenſity, and, becom⯑ing acquainted with the late Lady Miller of Bath-Eaſton, was a frequent and, ſometimes, a ſucceſs⯑ful candidate for the myrtle wreath of the poetic inſtitution of that villa. Her firſt regular publica⯑tion was a beautiful Elegy on Captain Cook, which, [245] together with an Ode to the Sun (a Bath-Eaſton Prize Poem) was publiſhed in a quarto pamphlet, in 1780. In the year following, ſhe produced a Monody on her gallant and amiable friend Major Andrè; and, it is ſaid, that Dr. Darwin, ſpeaking of this poem and the one on Captain Cook, uſed to tell her ſhe was the inventreſs of Epic Elegy. Miſs Seward's ſubſequent productions have been, a Poem to the Memory of Lady Miller; Louiſa, a poetical novel; an Ode on General Elliot's Return from Gibraltar; and "Llangollen Vale, with other Poems," publiſhed in a quarto pamphlet, in 1796.
Of theſe productions, perhaps, the firſt, in point of popularity, is the poetical novel; while the one held in higheſt eſtimation for poetical value, by the fair author herſelf, is, we are told, the Ode on General Elliot's Return. Miſs Seward's perpetual ſtudy of uncommon and poetical expreſſion has not unfrequently led her into affectation and obſcurity; yet, the general harmony of her numbers, her re⯑fined ſentiment, her elegant deſcription, and her copious imagery, will always inſure her many ad⯑mirers. Beſide the poems above mentioned, ſhe has contributed many original fugitive Pieces, and ſome Tranſlations of Odes of Horace to the Gen⯑tleman's Magazine; and has announced for ſpeedy publication, a collection (in quarto) to be entitled, "Sonnets and Horatian Odes."
A very ſucceſsful and judicious Compiler. He has publiſhed an entertaining and intereſting Col⯑lection of Anecdotes of ſome diſtinguiſhed Perſons, chiefly of the preſent and two preceeding Centuries, in four crown octavo volumes, of which the two firſt were publiſhed in 1795. Mr.Seward had furniſhed the European Magazine with many of theſe anecdotes previouſly to this publication.
One of the Directors of the Sierra Leone Company. A gentleman who has long been employed in the ex⯑erciſe of benevolence, and in endeavours to melio⯑rate the hardſhips of the ſuffering part of mankind. He was one of the firſt perſons to ſet on foot the enquiry into the African Slave Trade, and was Pre⯑ſident of the aſſociation for its abolition. He was likewiſe the principal agent in the endeavours to eſtabliſh the colony, in the direction of which he has now a ſhare. Mr. Sharp publiſhed, in the year 1768, "Remarks on ſeveral very important Pro⯑phecies," a pamphlet which diſplays conſiderable learning. Since that time, he has written a Trea⯑tiſe son Slavery; Remarks on the Diſtinction be⯑tween [247] Manſlaughter and Murder; a Declaration of the People's natural Right to a Share in the Le⯑giſlature; a Tract on the Law of Nature and Principles of Action in Man; and a pamphlet, en⯑titled, "The Legal Means of Political Reforma⯑tion," publiſhed in 1780.
The ſon of a Grocer and Confectioner in Fen⯑church Street, and Member of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. A year or two ago, he arrogated to himſelf the title of Editor of Rowley's Poems, re⯑printing thoſe pieces in an octavo volume, pre⯑fixing Mr. Coleridge's beautiful Monody on Chat⯑terton, and adding, perhaps a dozen, filly notes. The lines of Horace at the end of his Epiſtle to Auguſtus, can never be more appropriately applied than to this volume,
A native of Scotland, and a friend of the late Dr. Samuel Johnſon. He publiſhed, in 1780, a Galic and Engliſh Dictionary, in two volumes [248] a work of very laborious application and enquiry. In the following year Mr. Shaw engaged in a controverſy reſpecting the Poems of Oſſian, and diſplayed much learning and acuteneſs in deny⯑ing their authenticity. He publiſhed two pam⯑plets upon this occaſion, and experienced a good deal of rough treatment from Mr. John Clarke, a ſturdy champion of the contrary ſide of the queſtion.
This gentleman has publiſhed Vol. I. (in quarto) of Muſeum Leverianum, containing ſelect ſpecimens from the Muſeum of the late Sir Aſhton Lever. It is a very ſplendid volume.
Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge. He publiſhed, in 1789, "A Tour to the Weſt of England," in an octavo volume, which is an in⯑different performance.
SHEFFIELD, LORD.—See Holroyd.
Archdeacon of Bedford, Chaplain to the Biſhop of Durham, and formerly Fellow of Corpus Chriſti College, Oxford. A gentleman of diſtinguiſhed learning and liberality of ſentiment. His firſt pub⯑lication was an excellent Ode to Love, which ap⯑peared in 1756, and was republiſhed under the title, "The Philogamiſt." Soon after this, he was engaged in a controverſy with the author of a Free Enquiry into the Nature and Origin of Evil; and twenty years after the above date, he publiſhed two octavo volumes, entitled, "Miſcellanies," which con⯑tained his various productions, in verſe and proſe, publiſhed ſeparately during the interval. One of theſe, a Didactic Poem, was particularly admired on its firſt appearance. His ſubſequent publications have been "The Dying Hero," a poem; an Eſſay on Education, in a Letter to the late Sir William Jones; a volume of Bampton Lecture Sermons on the Ground and Credibility of the Chriſtian Reli⯑gion; additional Diſcourſes, ſupplementary to his Bampton Lecture Sermons; two ſingle Sermons; a Tranſlation of Polyaenus' Stratagems of War; and three Sermons on a Future State.
Late of Queen's College, Oxford, and Curate of Paddington. He publiſhed, in 1791, a ſenſible Diſcourſe, preached at the opening of Paddington Church, with the whimſical title, The Good Old Ways; and, five years afterward, a Critical and Practical Elucidation of the Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church of England, in an octavo volume. If this ſenſible work ſhall experience a favourable reception, Mr. Shepherd has hinted his intention of alſo favouring the public with an Elu⯑cidation of the Litany, Communion-office, and other Offices of the Church.
This celebrated character is of a family which during the greater part of the preſent century has been eminent for genius and learning. His grand⯑father was the intimate friend and favourite of Doctor Swift, the companion of his leiſure, the ſha⯑rer of his confidence, and the imitator of his wit. His father was the corrector of the Engliſh accent, and was acknowledged to be the beſt declaimer in the Engliſh Language of his day: he was, for a [251] conſiderable time, manager of the Dublin Theatre, and being compelled, by the animoſity of party, to quit that ſituation, acquired ſame and profit in London as an actor, and as a lecturer. The mo⯑ther of Mr. Sheridan could alſo boaſt a diſtinguiſhed literary reputation, obtained by ſeveral Plays, No⯑vels, and other Pieces of conſiderable merit.
Mr. Sheridan was born at Quilea, near Dublin, in the year 1752. At the age of ſix years, his fa⯑ther, then compelled to quit his native country, brought him to England, and placed him at Harrow School, under the care of Dr. Sumner, who was, at that time, the head-maſter. Here Mr. Sheridan contracted a friendſhip with Dr. Parr, then one of the under-maſters, which has, ever ſince ſubſiſted, between them. It does not appear that he was ever a member of either of the Univerſities; but, the law being his deſtination, was entered of the Middle Temple. At the age of eighteen years, he tranſlated from the Greek, in aſſociation with a friend, the Epiſtles of Ariſtaenetus, and alſo, about that time, printed ſeveral pieces, which are known only to his intimate friends, and among which, we believe, was an Anſwer to the celebrated Heroic Epiſtle to Sir William Chambers. Reſiding for ſome time at Bath, he became acquainted with Miſs Elizabeth Linley, daughter of the late Paten⯑tee of Drury Lane, of that name. This lady, celebrated no leſs, in her day, for her mental than for her perſonal accompliſhments, was highly diſ⯑tinguiſhed, [252] at that time, as a public ſinger: and a part of her ſtory, very honourable to herſelf, rela⯑tive to a propoſal of marriage, is commemorated by Foote, under the character of Miſs Linnet, in his comedy, entitled, "The Maid of Bath." Not long after this affair, Mr. Sheridan made honourable propoſals to her, and was engaged, on her account in a duel, with a Captain Matthews, which was very ſingular for the courage, ferocity, and invete⯑rate reſentment diſplayed by the parties. In 1773, his ſuit was crowned with ſucceſs; and, though his lady brought him little or no fortune, it has been ſuppoſed that his ſubſequent figure in the world, has been, in ſome degree owing to this marriage. He was now in his twenty-ſecond or twenty-third year, and even at this early period, diſcovered that pride and dignity of mind, which, though not always deſirable companions in the commerce of life, are moſtly characteriſtic of a ge⯑nerous ſpirit, and a true genius. For, notwith⯑ſtanding his narrow circumſtances, and the diſtance at which he was then removed from thoſe brilliant proſpects, which he afterward had in view, he would not allow Mrs. Sheridan to engage herſelf at any place of public entertainment.
Depending on his own talents alone for ſupport, Mr. Sheridan firſt turned his thoughts to dramatic compoſition; and, in January, 1775, brought out at Covent Garden Theatre his comedy, THE RIVALS. This piece, as it was originally played, [253] nearly doubled in length the generality of theatri⯑cal performances. It ſuffered greatly on the firſt night from the ſeverity of the audience, and with difficulty obtained a ſecond hearing. Several cauſes conſpired to produce this effect, among which, in juſtice to Mr. Sheridan, muſt be mentioned the miſerable manner in which ſome of the performers (Mr. Lee in particular) acted their parts. Being, however, new moulded by the author, it was re⯑ceived with conſiderable applauſe, and has conti⯑nued a favourite with the public. This play abounds in character and ſituation: yet, though it bears indiſputable marks of the fertility of the au⯑thor's genius, it is, certainly, far from a perfect compoſition. The character of Mrs. Malaprop, who is diſtinguiſhed from the ordinary run of illi⯑terate pretenders, by the mere circumſtance of her pronouncing hard words correctly, but uſing them in an improper ſenſe, inſtead of murdering, the words themſelves, as is uſually the caſe, is ſurely ill-conceived and unnatural. The idea of Acres, with his new-fangled oaths, always ſwear⯑ing by objects appropriate to the ſubject of which he is treating, ſeems an equal violation of proba⯑bility; and there appears to run through the piece an endeavour to give character and originality, which is always built upon affected circumſtances, and not upon experience and knowledge of human nature. When Mr. Sheridan publiſhed this co⯑medy, he acknowldged his youth and inexperience, [254] and adopted the error of dreading imitation, aſſert⯑ing in his preface that, ‘on ſubjects on which the mind has been much informed, invention is ſlow of exerting itſelf.’ Yet, it has always happened in ſome degree to thoſe writers, who think that the want of information will aſſiſt their invention, that they have incurred the very cenſure they were anxious to avoid, and have exhibited as new what is ſtale and hackneyed, and what a more in⯑timate acquaintance with their ſubject would have taught them to reject. In this year he alſo produced, St. Patrick's Day, a farce, which was originally repreſented for the benefit of Mr. Clinch, who ſeems to have been favoured with it, in conſe⯑quence or his repreſentation of the Iriſhman in the Rivals, in which he greatly excelled Mr. Lee.
In the following year, Mr. Sheridan enriched the Engliſh drama, with his celebrated comic opera, THE DUENNA. The ſucceſs of this piece was beyond all former example. The Beggar's Opera which had all the wits and half the nobi⯑lity of England for its ſupports, ran ſixty-three nights in one ſeaſon; the Duenna, ſeventy-five. The ſatire of this piece is beautiful and poignant; the flaſhes of wit are perpetual and always genuine; while the ſongs are characteriſed by that onction. that ripeneſs and mellowneſs of expreſſion, which is, probably, the grand ſecret of ſong-writing. This piece did not reach the preſs, by the author's conſent till the year 1794.
[255]But, even the merit of the Duenna was thrown into comparative oblivion on the appearance, in the following year, of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. No dramatic production ever equalled this cele⯑brated piece in ſucceſs. It can receive no honour from additional praiſe, nor is it likely to be injured by the ſevereſt critical examination. Character it is true, is not the fort even of this greateſt pro⯑duction of our author; yet, the plot is ſo natural, the mirror held up ſo true, the incidents follow with ſuch eaſe and grace, the dialogue is ſo chaſte and lively, the wit ſo brilliant and ſtirling, and every thing is ſo exquiſitely finiſhed and ſo happily conveyed, that our entertainment is unbounded, and we can never enough applaud our mirth. This piece (the policy, as we ſuppoſe, of our earlieſt theatres being on this occaſion revived) has never lawfully reached the preſs, though, ſome editions of it have been printed in Ireland, from a ſmug⯑gled copy, and ſold here.
In 1778, Mr. Sheridan brought out at Drury Lane "The Camp," a dramatic entertainment, intended to compliment the Dutcheſs of Devonſhire, which has never been printed; and, in the follow⯑ing year, "The Critic, or a Tragedy Rehearſed," a farce, which has reached the preſs. The Critic is diſtinguiſhed by that genuine wit, which has ſo often characteriſed the productions of its author, and is a piece which has obtained the frequently repeated applauſes of the public. Its firſt act has [256] particular merit, in the character of Sir Fretful Plagiary, which, as is well known, is a ſatire upon Mr. Richard Cumberland, a gentleman of mild and amiable manners, but, who is probably, in ſome degree, ſubject to the weakneſs here ridiculed, and who had been ſo ill-adviſed, or ſo unfortunate as to give offence to Mr. Sheridan. The two laſt acts, which conſiſt of a mock tragedy, have as much merit as their ſubject will allow, under the two-fold diſadvantage of being barren in itſelf, and of having been anticipated by the popular comedy of the Rehearſal. The author of the Rehearſal had the advantage of writing in an aera of falſe taſte, and of having for the topic of his ridicule, the abſurdities of ſo great a genius as Mr. Dryden. The errors of more modern tragedies were too evan⯑eſcent for ſatire, and Mr. Sheridan, in order to be intelligible, was obliged, ſometimes to have re⯑courſe to the beſt paſſages of Shakſpeare: now it is true that our mirth may be excited by a traveſty of Homer or Virgil, but we never can applaud the author. To the pen of Mr. Sheridan are alſo to be attributed, "A Trip to Scarborough," a co⯑medy, as altered from Vanburgh's Relapſe; a Mo⯑nody to the Memory of Mr. Garrick, which would have reflected luſtre upon an inferior genius, but added nothing to our admiration of Mr. Sheridan; the Prologue to Captain Ayſcough's tragedy, Semi⯑ramis, which is a beautiful piece of poetry; and ſeveral more highly elegant trifles, which are to be [257] found in different collections of fugitive pieces. The public has alſo, for many years, been flattered with the hopes of receiving from the ſame ſource, "The Foreſters," a comic opera; and Affectation, a comedy; but, from the length of their delay, we may be led to deſpair of their appearance.
It was in the year 1776, when Mr, Garrick re⯑tired from the ſtage, that Mr. Sheridan purchaſed, in aſſociation with Mr. Linley his father-in-law, and with Dr. Ford, one moiety of the property of Dru⯑ry Lane Theatre; to which they ſoon afterward added the other moiety. Mr. Sheridan's ſhare of this property is ſaid to have been more than a half; and, for ſome years, he continued the acting ma⯑nager of the theatre. His careleſsneſs and inatten⯑tion to the intereſts of this ſituation were very con⯑ſpicuous, and the credit of old Drury certainly loſt: a ſturdy prop in her celebrated Garrick. But, hav⯑ing completed every thing with regard to the ſtage, to which his ambition could aſpire, Mr. Sheridan turned the activity of his mind to another object, and was encouraged, by the friendſhip of Mr. Fox, to offer himſelf a candidate for repreſenting the town of Stafford in the Parliament, which was ſummoned to meet October 30th, 1780. The new life into which his ſucceſs introduced him, exalted his views, and, by engaging his talents in the concerns of his country, has had a fatal effect on his dramatic purſuits. Yet, it muſt be acknowledged a remark⯑able circumſtance that a writer ſhould ſo ſoon have [258] reached the higheſt pinnacle of excellence, in a path ſo arduous of aſcent, and that he ſhould then have relinquiſhed it for ever.
Mr. Sheridan did not inherit from nature every advantage toward making him a great public ſpeaker. His voice, in particular, was neither ſtrong, harmonious, nor of conſiderable compaſs. He had, however, the benefit of a remarkably clear and accurate articulation, and was early initiated in ideas of public ſpeaking by his father. The difficul⯑ties under which he laboured were conquered by unwearied perſeverance, and by the exerciſe of his voice on trifling topics and ordinary occaſions. This conqueſt was not completed when he was appointed, in 1782, Under Secretary of State, in the department of Mr. Fox, or when, in the year following, he was promoted to the place of Secre⯑tary to the Treaſury under the Duke of Portland. In the ſeſſion of 1785, he made a celebrated Speech upon the fourth of the twenty Iriſh Propoſitions; and, in the following year, upon a motion, brought forward by himſelf, upon the ſubject of finance: of the former of theſe Speeches a tolerable report was publiſhed, and has been inſerted in the Par⯑liamentary Regiſter. But Mr. Sheridan roſe to his greateſt height, as a ſpeaker, in 1787, when he opened the third article of impeachment, in the Houſe of Commons, againſt Mr. Haſtings, upon the ſubject of the puniſhment inflicted by him for the rebellion of the Princeſſes of Oude. This [259] ſpeech was five hours and a half in length, and thoſe who heard it ſeemed to think that no lan⯑guage could do juſtice to its wit, its ſublimity, and its pathos. It is hardly neceſſary to add that Mr. Sheridan has, for many years, been one of the moſt diſtinguiſhed leaders of the oppoſition. As an elegant ſcholar, we may ſafely ſay he has not a ſuperior in the ſenate of his country; and, however different the ſenſations may be, with which his cha⯑racter will impreſs ſome of thoſe who contemplate him as a genius and as a man, the urbanity of his behaviour in that aſſembly, and the uniformly claſ⯑ſical elegance and grace of his diction, muſt command the admiration of all.
Not many years after the loſs of his firſt wife, Mr. Sheridan married, in 1794, Miſs Ogle, daughter of the Dean of Wincheſter. About this time he attempted to diſpoſe of his property in the theatre, but, though he ſold a part of it, he ſtill retains the larger ſhare.
This gentleman is an elder brother of the ſub⯑ject of the preceeding article and was, a few years ago, Under Secretary of State for the War Department in the Kingdom of Ireland, and alſo a Member of the Parliament of that Kingdom. He publiſhed, in 1778 in an octavo volume, a Hiſtory [260] of the late Revolution in Sweden, having been Secretary to the Britiſh Envoy in that kingdom, at the time of the Revolution. This is a very maſterly performance. Mr. Sheridan alſo wrote ſeveral pamphlets, which were received with applauſe, upon the miniſterial ſide of the queſtion, during the former diſſentions of Ireland; one of them was en⯑titled, "Letters of a Dungannon Volunteer, re⯑ſpecting the Expediency of a Parliamentary Re⯑form." In the year 1793, Mr. Sheridan publiſhed, in London, an Eſſay upon the true Principles of Civil Liberty and of Free Government, occaſioned by the levelling doctrines of the day.
A native of Ireland, and Chaplain to the Right Rev. the Earl of Briſtol, Lord Biſhop of Derry. During his travels with his patron, in 1779, he publiſhed at Naples, Conſiglio ad un Giovane Poeta, which is an ingenious inveſtigation of Italian poe⯑try, publiſhed with the intention of giving fo⯑reigners a more juſt idea of Shakſpeare than could be collected from the ſtrictures of the partial and jealous Voltaire; and at Geneva, Lettres d'un Voy⯑ageur Anglois in which the words of Horace,
[261] are remarkably exemplified. In the following year Mr. Sherlock publiſhed, in London and Paris Nouvel⯑les Lettres d'un Voyageur Anglois, in an octavo volume. Both of theſe volumes of Letters were afterward tranſlated into Engliſh. Soon after his return, in 1781, he publiſhed "Letters on ſeveral Subjects," in two duodecimo volumes; and, four years af⯑terward, "A Fragment on Shakſpeare," extracted from the above-mentioned Advice to a young Poet. As a writer, Mr. Sherlock ſeems to have equal ſhares of ingenuity, ſprightlineſs, and imperti⯑nent vanity.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1780, "The Sea-Fight," an elegiac poem, which he wrote at ſea. He has, ſince that time, publiſhed anonymouſly, "The Country Book-club," a poem; "The Man of Enterprize," a farce, acted by the Norwich, company; and a Tranſlation of a Sonnet ſuppoſed to have been written by Mary Queen of Scots to the Earl of Bothwell. Some of theſe pieces are not without merit.
Short-hand writer to the City of London, one of Baron Swedenborg's preachers, and formerly a teacher of Greek, Hebrew, &c. He publiſhed, in 1777, a Critical Eſſay on Jeremiah xxxiii. 16; and has alſo publiſhed twelve Sermons, in an oc⯑tavo volume; three Sermons on the queſtion WHO IS THE LORD? the Liturgy of the New Church; two Sermons on the Call of the Jews; Hardy's Trial for High Treaſon, in two volumes, octavo; and Mr. Gibbs' Speech in Defence of Hardy.
Son of the celebrated actreſs of the ſame name. He brought out at the Haymarket Theatre, in 1790, a farce, entitled, "Modern Breakfaſt," which was condemned and afterward publiſhed! He has alſo written "William Wallace or The Highland Hero," a novel, which was noticed rather for the hereditary honours of its author than for any diſtinguiſhed merit which it can boaſt.
A Methodiſt Preacher, Fellow of King's Col⯑lege, Cambridge. He publiſhed, in 1796, in a large octavo volume, Claude's Eſſay on the Compo⯑ſition of a Sermon, with an Appendix containing one hundred Skeletons of Sermons; and has alſo printed occaſional ſingle Sermons, preached before the Univerſity, which have plenty of fleſh on their bones.
A Military Officer, and author of ſeveral Tracts on Military ſubjects. He publiſhed, in 1767, "The Military Medley," in an octavo volume, for the benefit of an humane charity in Ireland; and has, ſince that time, written "A Military Courſe for the Government and Conduct of a Battallion," an octavo volume; "The Military Inſtructor," a duodecimo volume; a Treatiſe on the Military Science, in quarto; "The Military Library," in four volumes, octavo; and "The Military Regu⯑lator," an octavo volume.
Author of a work, in four volumes, octavo, publiſhed in 1789, entitled, "Sacred Literature," which is a compilation conſiſting of a vaſt variety of quotations from authors of all deſcriptions who have written concerning the holy ſcriptures, and whoſe only merit is the marks which it bears of the compiler's induſtry.
Preſident of the Board of Agriculture, and a diſtinguiſhed promoter of improvements in that art. This Baronet was born in the year 1754, and is the only ſurviving ſon of the late George Sinclair, Eſq. of Ulleſter in the county of Caithneſs, North Britain. He was educated at the High-ſchool, Edinburgh, and at the Univerſities of Edinburgh, Glaſgow, and Oxford. In the year 1780, he was choſen Member for Caithneſs, his native county, which he repreſented in two Parliaments, and was choſen, at the laſt election, for Petersfield, Hants. Sir John Sinclair is diſtinguiſhed for his knowledge of Finance, Agriculture, and Statiſtics. He publiſhed, in the year 1782, "Obſervations on the Scottiſh Dialect," deſigned to remove the diſtinction which [265] a different dialect had produced between nations united under the ſame government, and connected by ſimilar cuſtoms and laws; alſo "Lucubrations during a ſhort Receſs," an anonymous pamphlet; and "Thoughts on the Naval Strength of the Bri⯑tiſh Empire," a pamphlet. The anonymous pam⯑phlet produced ſeveral Anſwers, one, in particular, by Lord Camelford, drawn up with great ability: the Pamphlet on our Naval Strength was alſo an⯑ſwered from the preſs. In the following year, Sir John Sinclair wrote a pamphlet, entitled, "Hints addreſſed to the Public," on the ſtate of our finances, which (in oppoſition to the Earl of Stair, among other writers) was the firſt of the publications aſ⯑ſerting the ample reſources of the nation. His ſubſequent productions have been, "The Hiſtory of the Public Revenue of the Britiſh Empire," a very elaborate and intereſting work, in two volumes, quarto, of which the firſt was publiſhed in 1785; "State of Alterations which may be propoſed in the Laws for regulating the Election of Members of Parliament for Shires in Scotland," a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1787; an Addreſs to the Edinburgh Society for the Improvement of Britiſh Wool, of which Sir John was appointed chairman; an Ad⯑dreſs to the Landed Intereſt, on the Corn Bill, (1791); "Statiſtical Account of Scotland," drawn up from the communications of the miniſters of the different pariſhes, in twenty volumes, octavo, of which the two firſt were publiſhed in 1792, a work [266] which redounds very highly to the credit of its au⯑thor's activity, perſeverance, and public ſpirit; and Letters to the Directors and Governors of the Bank, on the pecuniary Diſtreſſes of the Country, written in 1796.
A Preſbyter of the Epiſcopal Church in Scot⯑land, at Longſide, Aberdeenſhire. He publiſhed, in the year 1788, in two volumes, octavo, an Ec⯑cleſiaſtical Hiſtory of Scotland, from the firſt ap⯑pearance of Chriſtianity in that Kingdom, to the time at which his book was printed. In this work he vindicates the epiſcopal at the expence of the preſbyterian party.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1795, "Three ſucceſſive Tours in the North of England, and great Part of Scotland," interſperſed with deſcrip⯑tions of the ſcenes they preſented, and with occa⯑ſional Obſervations on the State of Society, and the Manners and Cuſtoms of the People," in a quarto volume, an entertaining work.
Of Bignor Park, Suſſex, a lady of very diſtin⯑guiſhed reputation as a Poet, and as a Novel-writer. Her firſt publication was "Elegiac Sonnets and other Eſſays," which appeared in quarto, in 1784. Theſe poems, characteriſed by great elegance of feeling and beauty of expreſſion, have been very frequently reprinted, and, with many ſubſequent additions, are now publiſhed in two duodecimo vo⯑lumes, under the title, "Elegiac Sonnets and other Poems." In 1787, Mrs. Smith publiſhed "The Romance of Real Life," in three duodecimo vo⯑lumes, which is a compilation from a voluminous French work, entitled "Cauſes celebreè, &c." and, in the year following, "Emmeline, or the Orphan of the Caſtle," a novel. She has, ſince that time, written Ethelinde, Celeſtina, Deſmond, the Old Manor Houſe, the Wanderings of Warwick, the Baniſhed Man, Montalbert, and Marchmont, no⯑vels; "The Emigrants, a poem; "Rural Walks," in dialogues intended for the uſe of young perſons, in two duodecimo volumes; "Rambles Far⯑ther," in continuation of the Rural Walks," in two duodecimo volumes; and a Narrative of the Loſs of the Catherine, Venus, &c. near Wey⯑mouth, drawn up from information taken on the ſpot, and publiſhed for the benefit of an unfor⯑tunate [268] ſurvivor from one of the wrecks and her in⯑fant child. Conſidered as a novel-writer only, though her powers of pleaſing are very great, Mrs. Smith has a few ſuperiors among her countrywo⯑men: conſidered as a poet only, the number of theſe will be found exceedingly ſmall: but, if con⯑ſidered, as to her union of both theſe characters, we know of no lady who has ſuperior pretenſions.
This gentleman is ſometimes diſtinguiſhed by the name, LINNAEAN SMITH, from poſſeſſing the Linnaean library, cabinets, &c. He is a very in⯑duſtrious and able writer, particularly on ſubjects of Natural Hiſtory. We believe, his firſt publication was a pamphlet, in 1785, entitled, "Reflections on the Study of Nature," which is a tranſlation of one of the preface's of Linnaeus. In the year fol⯑lowing, he publiſhed a Diſſertation on the Sexes of Plants, tranſlated from the Latin of Linnaeus; and, three years after that, Reliquiae Rudbeckianae, in a folio volume, and the firſt Faſciculus (in folio) of Plantarum Icones hactenus ineditae, a moſt elegant and learned work, intended to give figures of ſuch plants (chiefly of the Linnaean Herbarium) as have not, hitherto, been properly repreſented, or of which no deſcription or figure is, as yet, ex⯑tant. [269] Three Faſciculi of this publication have made their appearance. In 1790, Dr. Smith pub⯑liſhed the firſt Faſciculus (in folio) of his Icones Pictae Plantarum Rariorum, a work deſigned to give accurate and elegant figures, with full ſcientific de⯑ſcriptions, of ſuch plants as have, hitherto, been imperfectly or not at all known, and of which no ſufficiently good figures exiſt. Another Faſciculus of it has made its appearance. Dr. Smith's ſubſe⯑quent publications have been, a new and improved edition of the Flora Lapponica of Linnaeus, in an octavo volume; Faſciculus I. and II. of Spicilegium Botanicum, in ſmall folio, a work appropriated to plants of a more humble ſtature; and a Sketch of a Tour on the Continent, in the years 1786 and 1787, in three octavo volumes.
Author of "An Attempt to render the Pro⯑nunciation of the Engliſh Language more eaſy to Foreigners," publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1795. This ſenſible work is an abridgement of a Dictionary of the Engliſh and French Languages upon a plan entirely new, ſhortly to be publiſhed by this gentleman.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1796, "William and Ellen," a tale, in verſe; and has, ſince that time, publiſhed "The Scaith of France," a poem; and alſo a ſmall collection of his "Poems." He is a reſpectable verſifier.
Phyſician Extraordinary to his Majeſty. He publiſhed, in 1788, the Works of the late Dr. William Stark, in a quarto volume; and has written a Deſcription of the Jail Diſtemper, as it appeared among the Spaniſh Priſoners at Win⯑cheſter, in 1780; and an Account of the Expe⯑riment made at the Deſire of the Lords Com⯑miſſioners of the Admiralty on board the Union Hoſpital Ship, to determine the Effect of the Ni⯑trous Acid in deſtroying Contagion.
Surveyor to the Eaſt India Company, and an excellent writer on Ship-building and Naval Archi⯑tecture. [271] Beſide, ſeveral other pieces, he has pub⯑liſhed, a Letter addreſſed to the Eaſt India Com⯑pany, on the Mode of improving the Navy of Great Britain.
Architect to the Bank of England, and Mem⯑ber of the Royal Academics of Parma and Flo⯑rence. He publiſhed, in 1793, an elegant folio volume, entitled, "Sketches in Architecture."
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1792, "The Hiſtory of Political Tranſactions, and of Parties from the Reſtoration of King Charles II. to the Death of King William," in a quarto volume, a work of very conſiderable merit. In the following year, he wrote "Obſervations on the Conſtitution and preſent State of Britain," a pamphlet; and is now publiſhing by ſubſcription, a Complete Hiſ⯑tory of Great Britain, during the Reign of Queen Anne, in a quarto volume.
Author of a volume of Poems, conſiſting of a Tour through Parts of Wales, Sonnets, Odes, &c. which was firſt printed at Bath, in 1790, and, four years afterward, elegantly reprinted in London, in a royal quarto volume, with engravings from draw⯑ings taken on the ſpot. The poetry has conſide⯑rable merit.
Of the City of Briſtol. A gentleman whoſe talent for Poetry has obtained him very diſtinguiſhed applauſe in the literary world. His firſt publica⯑tion was a ſmall volume of Poems, in aſſociation with Mr. Robert Lovell, his fellow-ſtudent of Ba⯑liol College, Oxford, which appeared in 1795. In the year following, he publiſhed Joan of Arc, an epic Poem, in a quarto volume, about four hun⯑dred lines of which, at the beginning of the ſecond book, were contributed by his friend Mr. Cole⯑ridge. This performance, as originally written in twelve books, was finiſhed in ſix weeks; and on its improved plan in ten books, was almoſt entirely recompoſed during the time of printing! The poetical powers diſplayed in this poem are of a [273] very ſuperior kind, and, notwithſtanding a little occaſional negligence, its merit is ſuch as unqueſ⯑tionably to entitle its author to the name or POET: yet, Mr. Southey, at the ſame time, muſt be ſaid to have done infinite injuſtice to his extraordinary ta⯑lents, in allowing the fervour of youth to hurry him, in ſuch a manner, through a work of genius ſo ſingulary arduous. In 1797, Mr. Southey pub⯑liſhed a duodecimo volume of Poems, which has been very generally admired, and abounds in pieces of exquiſite beauty. In this year he alſo publiſhed an octavo volume of Letters, written during a ſhort reſidence in Spain and Portugal, which abound in information, and are highly entertaining.
This gentleman was one of the tranſlators of Leonora, a tale, from the German of Bürger. His Tranſlation was publiſhed in 1796, in a very ſplen⯑did folio volume, with deſigns by the Right Hon. Lady Diana Beauclerc, and having the German printed on one ſide of the paper. This tale has been called, not unaptly, a ſort of blue-beard ſtory for the nurſery. That the rage for tranſlating this and ſimilar pieces ſhould have been ſo great, and that they ſhould have occupied the public curioſity ſo much, are certainly, by no means, flattering teſtimonies of the taſte of the times. The production [274] of Mr. Spencer was the moſt elegant of any of them, in point of typography and embelliſhment, and not the leaſt diſtinguiſhed as to literary merit.
A rigid Calviniſt. He publiſhed, in 1772 "The Scripture Doctrine of Sin and Grace conſi⯑dered, in a Series of Sermons," in one volume, oc⯑tavo; and has alſo printed a Funeral Sermon for his Daughter, and ſome other ſingle Diſcourſes.
STAIR, EARL OF.—See Dalrymple.
A diſtinguiſhed writer on the ſcience, Naval Architecture. He publiſhed, in 1781, a very valuable work on the Rudiments and Rules of Ship-Building, in a folio volume, entitled, "Na⯑val Architecture," and dedicated to his Majeſty.
Fellow of the Society of Arts, and Member of the American Philoſophical Society at Philadelphia. This nobleman (formerly Lord Viſcount Mahon) has applied himſelf with ſome ſucceſs to the ſtudies of Mathematics and Natural Philoſophy; and has contributed ſeveral Papers upon theſe ſubjects to the Philoſophical Tranſactions. In the year 1775, his Lordſhip publiſhed "Conſiderations on the Means of Preventing Fraudulent Practices on the Gold Coin," a pamphlet which he had written at Geneva two years previouſly; in 1779, "Princi⯑ples of Electricity," in a quarto volume: and, in 1786, "Obſervations on Mr. Pitt's Plan for the Reduction of the National Debt." His Lordſhip's ſubſequent publications have been, a Letter to Mr. Burke, in Anſwer to his Speech on the French Re⯑volution (1790); and "The Rights of Juries de⯑fended," a pamphlet. Previously to the troubles in France, his Lordſhip, although miniſterial in his politics and united by conſanguinity, as well as inclination to the Chancellor of the Exchequer diſplayed conſiderable independence in his conduct, and bore the character of one deſirous to promote the public welfare to the beſt of his judgement. Since thoſe appearances his political conduct has [276] been highly extravagant. In 1794, he made a motion to acknowledge the French Republic; and ſome of his Speeches have even excited the riſibi⯑lity of his adherents. Not long ago, in the true levelling ſpirit, his Lordſhip gave the hand of his daughter, Lady Stanhope, in marriage to Mr. Taylor a ſurgeon of Seven-Oaks in Kent.
The author of the Widow of Malabar, a tra⯑gedy, performed at Mrs. Creſpigny's private thea⯑tre at Camberwell, and brought out at Covent Garden, in 1791. This piece is an imitation from M. le Mierre's drama, La Veuve du Malabar, which was once much in vogue at Paris. In its preſent form it has ſome merit.
This gentleman was his Majeſty's Secretary of Embaſſy to the Emperor of China, and Miniſter Plenipotentiary in the abſence of the Ambaſſador. He was formerly an Apothecary in the country, married a Miſs Collins, daughter of a Printer at Saliſbury, and has raiſed himſelf from obſcurity to wealth, rank, and honours. His only appearance [277] as an author has been in the Account he has pub⯑liſhed of the Embaſſy to China. This long ex⯑pected work made its appearance in Auguſt, 1797; in two volumes, quarto, accompanied by a folio volume of plates, under the title, "An Authentic Account of the Embaſſy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China." Such was the public curioſity, that, although it was printed in a very expenſive ſtyle, and the impreſſion conſiſted of a large number of copies, every one was ſub⯑ſcribed for long before the day of publication. An octavo edition of it, in three volumes, has been publiſhed ſince its firſt appearance. The AC⯑COUNT was taken chiefly from the papers of Lord Macartney, the Ambaſſador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary; of Sir Eraſmus Gower, Com⯑mander of the expedition; and of other gentlemen in the ſeveral departments of the Embaſſy. Though it may be ſaid to contain little additional infor⯑mation reſpecting China, to what was already to be found in the writings of Duhalde, Groſier, and others who have travelled in that country, it muſt be confeſſed that Sir George Staunton en⯑joyed peculiar advantages for deſcribing with ac⯑curacy the phyſical as well as moral ſtate of the vaſt empire. So remarkable an inſtance of the ne⯑ceſſary abilities and opportunities to collect infor⯑mation, and of ſtrict authenticity in reporting it, as concurred in the caſe of the gentlemen who accompanied this embaſſy, can very rarely [278] happen! It is true that in theſe volumes utility is never ſacrificed to pleaſure, nor inſtruction to amuſement. Veracity, candour, and modeſty mark them in every page; but the author's exceſs of precaution againſt egotiſm, ſuperinduces a ſtyptic dryneſs too often to be lamented. It is ſaid that a large ſum of money was preſented to Sir George Staunton by the Eaſt India Company, to defray the expence of the drawings and engravings which belong to this work.
Aſtronomer to his Majeſty's Provinces of Que⯑bec, and New Drunſwick, &c. Author of a very ſingular and, for the moſt part, a very abſurd book, entitled, "The American Oracle," publiſhed in an octavo volume, in 1791. In this work he has given a new and ingenious hypotheſis of the Au⯑rora Borealis; but his vanity and his poetry are in⯑ſupporta [...]able. Mr. Stearns is one of the props of Animal Magnetiſm, and was a coadjutor to Mr. Cue in working magnetic miracles.
Vicar of St. Chad's, Shrewſbury. He has edit⯑ed a volume of Dr. Doddridge's Letters, with biographical notes; and a volume of Letters from the late Rev. Mr. Job Orton to a young Clergy⯑man (Mr.Stedman). He has alſo printed a ſingle Sermon, preached at St. Chad's Church, January 30th, 1793.
A gentleman of fortune, reſident at Hampſtead, and a moſt diſtinguiſhed character in the literary world, as a very learned and acute Editor of Shakſpeare. He publiſhed, in 1766, "Twenty of the Plays of Shakſpeare," in four octavo volumes. A year previouſly to the appearance of this edition, Dr. Johnſon had publiſhed an edition of Shak⯑ſpeare's Plays with Notes, in eight octavo volumes. A coalition between theſe two editors having been negociated, the edition of Shakſpeare commonly called Johnſon's and Steevens' Edition made its ap⯑pearance, in ten octavo volumes, in 1773. It was reprinted, by theſe gentlemen, in the ſame num⯑ber of volumes, five years afterward; and again, in 1785, under the care of Mr. Reed, who undertook [280] the office of editor at the requeſt of Mr. Steevens. The fourth edition of this work, with great addi⯑tions and improvements, was publiſhed by Mr. Steevens, in 1793, in fifteen octavo volumes. In its preſent form this is by far the moſt complete edi⯑tion of Shakſpeare extant. The diligent editor has taken every poſſible pains to render his work full, clear, and convenient; and ſuch are the uti⯑lity and excellence of the prolegomena and notes, ſuch alſo the elegance of the typograpical execu⯑tion, that we may ſay our immortal bard is edited in a manner becoming his fame.
A Verſifier of conſiderable genius and humour. He has written Crazy Tales for grown Gentlemen; Lyric Epiſtles; Paſtoral Cordials; Macarony Fa⯑bles, &c. His works have been lately collected and publiſhed, with notes, in three ſmall octavo volumes.
Profeſſor of Moral Philoſophy in the Univerſity of Edinburgh. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1792, "Elements of the Philoſophy of the Hu⯑man Mind," in a quarto volume, a work highly to [281] the credit of his abilities. He alſo edited, in 1795, the late Dr. Adam Smith's poſthumous Eſſays on Philoſophical Subjects, in a quarto volume, prefix⯑ing an Account of the author's Life and Writings.
Chaplain to the Earl of Dartmouth, and for⯑merly Miniſter of Weſt Bromwich, [...]ordſhire. He publiſhed, in 1794, a volume of Sermons on ſome of the principal Doctrines of the Chriſtian Religion, which are plain and ſenſible.
Rector of Leſborough and Long Houghton in Northumberland. A veteran of the preſs. He was formerly in the army and commenced his lite⯑rary career in the character of a poet, publiſhing, in 1764. "Churchill defended," a poem; and "The Conſtituents," a poem. In 1770, he pub⯑liſhed a Tranſlation of Teſſo's Amyntas; and, two years afterward, he tranſlated for the bookſellers Bos' Antiquities of Greece, and Sabbathier's Inſti⯑tutions, &c, of the Ancient Nations. Mr. Stock⯑dale has, ſince that time, publiſhed the Works and Life of Waller, in a duodecimo volume; three Diſcourſes againſt Luxury, &c. ſix Diſcourſes, in [282] an octavo volume; a ſingle Sermon on Self-know⯑ledge; a volume of Sermons dedicated to Mr. Pitt, eight Sermons on different ſubjects, dedicated to Mr. Jerningham; a volume of Sermons to Sea⯑men, preached on board the Leander; an Enquiry into the Nature and genuine Laws of Poetry; a duodecimo volume of Miſcellanies in Proſe and Verſe; an Eſſay on Education; an Eſſay on Mi⯑ſanthropy; "Three Poems," viz. Siddons, an Epiſtle to Sir Aſhton Lever, and an Eſſay on an Officer; Ximenes, a tragedy; a Letter to Gran⯑ville Sharpe, Eſq. reſpecting the Negroes; Poetical Thoughts and Views on the Banks of the Wear; Letters to the Biſhop of Durham, relative to the Living of Hartburn; Obſervations on modern Re⯑formers; a Letter to Mr. Bryan; Letters to the Reviewers; and a very angry Letter to a Gentle⯑man of the Philanthopic Society. He is alſo the editor of Oram's Poems.
The life of Mr. Percival Stockdale has been marked by various misfortunes, and diſcouraging circumſtances. As a writer he has never been po⯑pular, and his miſcarriage has been ſomewhat un⯑fortunate. He ſeems to labour under an extreme irritability of the nervous ſyſtem, which has never allowed him to endure the rebukes of honeſt criti⯑ciſm. He is paradoxical, without being ingenious; he is new, without the power of invention; and he poſſeſſes the true poetic melancholy without one ſpark of poetic fire.
Barriſter at Law. He publiſhed, in 1783, a View of the Conſtitution of the Britiſh Colonies in North America and the Weſt Indies, at the time the Civil War broke out on the Continent of Ame⯑rica, in an octavo volume. Of thoſe parts of the globe Mr. Stokes had acquired conſiderable know⯑ledge by perſonal reſidence, and he has produced a very judicious and intelligent volume. In 1793, he wrote a ſenſible pamphlet, entitled, "Deſultory Obſervations" on the ſituation, extent, government, &c. of Great Britain, occaſionally contraſted with thoſe of other countries, in order to point out the bleſſings which the Engliſh enjoy above all other nations.
Rector of Cold-Norton, Eſſex, and a diſtin⯑guiſhed Reformer. Being then Chairman of the Society of the Petitioning Clergy, he publiſhed, in 1777, "A new, eaſy, and expeditious Method of Diſcharging the National Debt," in which he very abſurdly ſubſtituted buffoonery for the diſcretion and gravity which would have become him in that ſitu⯑ation. In 1789, he wrote "Political Reforma⯑tion [284] on a Large Scale," a pamphlet, in which he threatened to relinquiſh his native ſoi [...], and to ſeek an aſylum in Ireland with Meſſrs Grattan, Corry, &c. This deſign he unfortunately laid aſide, and wrote, in 1792, an Examination of Mr. Burke's REFLECTIONS; and alſo a ſuperficial pamphlet, entitled, "Thoughts in favour of the Abolition of the Slave Trade."
A nobleman diſtinguiſhed for his eccentricities. His Lordſhip has been called THE STANHOPE OF IRELAND. He publiſhed, in 1783, an Eſſay on the true Intereſts and Reſources of the Empire of the King of Great Britain and Ireland.
Of Queen's College, Oxford, and Rector of Teyford in Suſſex. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1790, a new literal Verſion of the Book of Pſalms, with Notes, in two volumes, octavo. The deſign of this work is to elucidate what is obſcure, to amend what is miſtaken, and to improve what is [285] defective; and the execution is, by no means, un⯑worthy of the laudable attempt.
Vicar of Twyford and Owſlebury, and formerly a ſchoolmaſter at Twickenham. He publiſhed, in 1769, "The Beauties of Hiſtory," in two duode⯑cimo volumes, deſigned for youth. This compila⯑tion has been favourably received; but, though the plan is good, the execution of it is, certainly, not ſuch as might have been diſplayed on ſuch a ſub⯑ject. Mr. Stretch has alſo publiſhed the Subſtance of two Diſcourſes preached at Wincheſter Aſſizes in 1790.
A dramatic writer, and a friend of the late Mr. George Colman. He has written the Cobler of Caſtlebury; Ripe Fruit; Damnation; Gretna Green; the Diſtreſſed Baronet; the Stone-eater; and the Iriſhman in Spain. The laſt of theſe is a mutilation of a farce called, She would be a Dutcheſs, which was ſtopped by the Lord Chamberlain, at the requeſt of General Gunning. All of theſe pie⯑ces are farces or interludes, which were brought out at the Haymarket Theatre. Mr. Stuart is alſo the author of a few Prologues and Epilogues.
Brother to the ſubject of the preceeding article. He was formerly concerned in the printing and con⯑duct of the Morning Poſt; and is now the Printer and Editor of the paper called, the Oracle, which was originally ſet on foot by Mr. John Bell.
Chancellor of the Dioceſe of Wincheſter, and Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majeſty. This gentle⯑man's firſt publication was a Conſecration Sermon, printed in 1777. Two years afterward, he pub⯑liſhed, "Conſiderations on the State of the Church Eſtabliſhment," in an octavo volume. This book was in reply to the Lectures on Non-conformity of the late Mr. Robert Robinſon; and the manner in which it is written places its author in a moſt creditable light, both as a ſenſible and as a moderate man. In 1791, Dr. Sturges wrote, "Short Re⯑marks" on Dodſon's Tranſlation of Iſaiah, which were anſwered by Mr. Dodſon, and produced very favourable teſtimonies to the learning of the Doc⯑tor, and to the candour of his adverſary. The ſubſequent literary productions of Dr. Sturges have been, a volume of excellent Diſcourſes chiefly on the Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion; [287] and an elegant ſingle Sermon preached in Lambeth Chapel December 2d, 1792, at the Conſecration of the late Dr. Buller, Biſhop of Exeter.
This gentleman was Member for New Romney in the laſt Parliament, and has, we believe, ſpent part of his life in India. His firſt publication was "A Tour through Parts of England, Scotland, and Wales," in a ſeries of Letters, which ap⯑peared in 1780, in two volumes octavo. Not long after this, he publiſhed a Letter to the Eaſt India Directors; an Analyſis of the Political Hiſtory of India, in an octavo volume; Thoughts on Martial Law, a pamphlet; and Philoſophical Rhapſodies, Fragments of Akbur of Betlis, containing Reflec⯑tions on the Laws, Manners, Cuſtoms, and Reli⯑gions of certain Aſiatic, Afric, and European Na⯑tions," in three octavo volumes. The laſt of theſe works, though ſaid to be written by a native of Aſſyria, was ſoon found to be much more deeply tinctured with European than with Oriental Phi⯑loſophy. In 1794, Mr. Sulivan publiſhed "A View of Nature, in Letters to a Traveller among the Alps," in ſix volumes, octavo; a work whoſe title at⯑tracted a degree of curioſity, which its contents were but ill able to gratify. The author of THE [288] PURSUITS OF LITERATURE has thought it pro⯑per to dignify this publication with the character of a work of labour and of general utility, digeſted from original writers with judgement, and with an upright virtuous heart, in a pleaſing and inſtructive manner: a ſentence unworthy of him who paſſed it. To the goodneſs of the writer's heart, we have nothing to object; but ſurely, as a philoſopher, he is even below mediocrity. Had not the name of a gentle⯑man, and a man of fortuné appeared in the title, we ſhould have pronounced the work an arrant in⯑ſtance of book-making. As it is, we can only al⯑low the laſt volume to be at all worthy of a philo⯑ſophical pen: the remaining five are traſh, the babblings of an infant in natural knowledge. Among many to notice one particular inſtance, a writer who adopts ſuch a Theory of the Tides as Mr. Suli⯑van has adopted, can either not underſtand New⯑ton's theory, and therefore muſt be totally une⯑qual to ſuch a work as The View of Nature; or, if he does underſtand it, ſhews by the choice he has made that he is utterly incompetent to his undertaking, in point of philoſophical reaſoning and judgement. How trite, yet how little heeded is the good old maxim!
Son-in-law to the Earl of Buckinghamſhire, and Member for Old Sarum in the laſt Parliament. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1795, an elegant oc⯑tavo volume of "Tracts upon India," written in the years 1779, 1780, and 1788; a work which contains much inſtructive matter.
Proprietor and Vender of De Velnos' Vegetable Syrup. Several Pamphlets have been written in the courſe of the laſt ten years under his name, in aſſertion of the ſuperior excellence of this medi⯑cine; particularly a late ſevere attack on Dr. Bed⯑does, under the title, "Mercury Stark Naked." Theſe pamphlets have been attributed to the pen of Mr. David Williams.
This celebrated traveller is the youngeſt ſon of the late Sir John Swinburne, Bart. of Capheaton in Northumberland, the long-eſtabliſhed ſeat of that ancient Roman Catholic family. He was edu⯑cated [290] at Scorton School in Yorkſhire; and, after⯑ward, ſtudied at Paris, Bourdeaux, and the Royal Academy at Turin. After this he made the uſual tour of Italy, and, in 1774, travelled with his lady on the Continent, for the expreſs purpoſe of in⯑dulging their taſte for antiquities and the fine arts. Mr. Swinburne ſpent ſix years in France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, during which time he formed an intimacy with ſome of the moſt celebrated lite⯑rati of thoſe countries, and received ſome ſignal marks of eſteem from the Sovereigns of the courts he viſited. On his return to England he retired to his ſeat at Hamſterly, in the Biſhoprick of Dur⯑ham, which has been his place of chief reſidence ſince that time. The firſt of Mr. Swinburne's pub⯑lications was his quarto volume of Travels through Spain, which appeared in 1779. Four years af⯑terward he publiſhed Vol. I. (in quarto) of his celebrated Travels in the two Sicilies; to which Vol. II. was added two years afterward. Both of theſe works have been reprinted in octavo; the firſt in two, and the laſt in four volumes. The learning and ingenuity of Mr. Swinburne are too well known to require an additional panegyric from us. The warmth and animation of his deſcriptions diſ⯑cover an imagination highly ſuſceptible to every beauty of nature, or of art; and, if he have a fault it is, that he is too apt to relinquiſh ſimplicity for profuſion of ornament.
Author of an octavo volume of Travels into Norway, Denmark, and Ruſſia, publiſhed in 1792. This work engaged its author in a legal conteſt with the proprietors of the Critical Review. It contains much amuſement and information.
Advocate. He has publiſhed an Abridgement of the Public Statutes in Force and Uſe, relative to Scotland, from the Union in the fifth year of Anne to the twenty-ſeventh George III. incluſive, in two volumes, quarto; which is a conſiderable en⯑largement of a work publiſhed about 1755, by his relation and nameſake.
Rector of Narberth in the county of Pembroke, and formerly of Clare-Hall, Cambridge. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1787, a volume of Sermons, which do him great credit, and which have been favourably received. Mr. Symmons has alſo printed two ſingle Sermons.
Of Jeſus College, Oxford. Author of Inez, a dramatic poem, publiſhed in 1797.
Of Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk. The learned Profeſſor of Modern Hiſtory in the Univerſity of Cambridge, and Member of Trinity College. He was elected to the above Profeſſorſhip in the year 1771, and publiſhed, in 1778, "Remarks upon an Eſſay, entitled, The Hiſtory of the Colonization of the Free States of Antiquity, applied to the Conteſt be⯑tween Great Britain and her American Colonies," a pamphlet. In 1789, he publiſhed, "Obſervations upon the Expediency of reviſing the preſent Eng⯑liſh Verſion of the four Goſpels, and of the Acts of the Apoſtles," in a quarto pamphlet, which was followed, in 1794, by ſimilar "Obſervations re⯑ſpecting the Epiſtles in the New Teſtament." Of theſe OBSERVATIONS, which diſplay uncommon induſtry and abilities, the firſt was anſwered in an illiberal anonymous pamphlet, entitled, An Apology for the Liturgy of the Church of England, ſaid to be the joint production of two Biſhops; and prefixed to the laſt was an able rejoinder by Dr. Symonds. [293] As a Lecturer in Modern Hiſtory, the fame of this gentleman is ſupremely great.
SURGEON, and (in his own words) Eque⯑ſtrian Phyſician. He publiſhed, in 1788, Vol. I. (in octavo) of "The Gentleman's Stable Direc⯑tory," to which he has added another volume; and, in 1796, "A Compendium of Practical and Experimental Farriery," in an octavo volume. Theſe books have been favourably received; and, notwithſtanding their author's pompous manner, ill-calculated to inform ſtabularian practitioners, are likely to be of great general utility.
Of South Molton. Author of ſeveral pious, ſenſible, and uſeful little publications. He wrote, in 1789, a plain Diſcourſe for Children, parti⯑cularly intended to benefit the Sunday-ſchools; and "Meditations," chiefly for Women in [294] Pregnant Circumſtances. His ſubſequent publica⯑tions have been, "Serious Advice to Young Peo⯑ple;" Lectures on the Lord's Prayer, in an octavo volume; "A Seaſonable Publication," a political pamphlet, publiſhed in 1794; and two ſingle Sermons.
A Major-general in the Army, and a character of greater celebrity in the memoirs of the turf, than in the noiſeleſs tenor of theſe peaceful pages. He publiſhed, in the year 1787, in a quarto vo⯑lume, a Hiſtory of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in the Southern Provinces of North Ame⯑rica; in which he was Commandant of the Britiſh Legion. This work does him credit as an officer, but was thought amenable on account of certain diſreſpectful inſinuations, which it contains, con⯑cerning Lord Cornwallis, (vide our article Rode⯑rick Mackenzie).
Of Exeter. This gentleman completed, in 1793. a collection of "Select Odes and Miſcel⯑laneous Poems," in three duodecimo volumes, many of which had appeared ſingly at different [295] times, ſeveral years before that period. The firſt of them, an Ode to the Warlike Genius of Great Britain, was printed in 1778, and has gained its author conſiderable credit. Had Mr. Taſker duly eſtimated his talents he would have confined him⯑ſelf to excurſions like this, for mediocrity is the higheſt ſtation to which any diſſimilar poetical at⯑tempts of his can be ſaid to have attained. Since the above-mentioned collection, he has publiſhed Arviragus, a tragedy (never performed) whoſe ſub⯑ject is the conteſt between the ancient Britons and the Romans, terminated by the marriage of Arvi⯑ragus with the daughter of the Emperor Claudius. To his "Select Odes" is added a ſeries of Letters, containing much miſcellaneous matter; and, among the reſt, proofs of the anatomical accuracy of Homer, in his deſcription of the wounds ſuffered by the heroes in the Illiad. Mr. Taſker is, at pre⯑ſent employed, as we underſtand, on a Hiſtory of Phyſiognomy from the time of Ariſtotle, to that of Lavater; in which the Stagyrite's knowledge of phyſiognomy is to be illuſtrated in the ſame manner as the anatomical knowledge of the venerable Bard in theſe Letters.
A moſt ingenious Modeller, of Leiceſter-ſquare, celebrated for his grand collection of engraved [296] gems. He publiſhed, in 1791, a Deſcriptive Ca⯑talogue of his Gems, arranged and deſcribed by Mr. R. E. Raſpe, in two volumes, quarto.
Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford. A gen⯑tleman of diſtinguiſhed abilities and attainments; but, by no means, a very attractive writer. He publiſhed, in 1778, a ſtrange "Eſſay on Journal Poetry;" in 1780, a volume of Diſcourſes Intro⯑ductory to the Study of Divinity; and, in 1790, Vol. I. (in octavo) of "The Chart and Scale of Truth," in continuation of which a ſecond volume was ſoon afterward publiſhed. Dr. Tatham has alſo printed ſome ſingle Sermons; Letters to Mr. Burke on Politics, a pamphlet; a Letter to Mr. Pitt on the National Debt; and a ſecond Letter to the ſame on a National Bank. "The Chart and Scale of Truth, by which to find the Cauſe of Er⯑ror," indiſputably the maſterpiece of its author, was read before the Univerſity of Oxford, at the Lec⯑ture founded by Mr. Bampton, and is not com⯑pleted in the two volumes already publiſhed. It is a work highly creditable to the learning and ac⯑curate reaſoning of its author, who appears to have written it with a laudable zeal for academical re⯑formation, and for the general advancement of knowledge. Its leading object is to aſſiſt the phi⯑loſophical [297] enquirer, in diſtinguiſhing what he can know, from what he cannot know; and, by marking the modes and degrees of human knowledge, to furniſh a general ſcale, or common meaſure, by which we may aſcertain the particular nature and relative force of every kind of TRUTH. It is cal⯑culated, in ſhort, to lead men to think and to judge for themſelves, and not in the thoughts and opinions of others. If this book can be ſaid to have a fault, it ſeems to be that it is without that finiſh and poliſh which, to ſo important a deſign, appear peculiarly requiſite.
Vicar of Wotton under Edge, Glouceſterſhire, and Chaplain to the Hon. Mr. Juſtice Buller. A gentleman of high reſpectability of character. He publiſhed, in 1791, "A Verſion or Paraphraſe of the Pſalms," originally written by Mr. Merrick, divided into ſtanzas and adapted to the purpoſes of public or private devotion; which, he entertains hopes, may at ſome future time obtain a proper ſanction for its introduction into the Church. Some copies of this work were printed in a larger ſize and preſented to the dignified clergy. Mr. Tatterfall is alſo collecting a number of tunes, which, after ſub⯑mitting them to the beſt judges of muſic, he deſigns to publiſh, in addition to the above-mentioned work. [298] A year or two previouſly to theſe Pſalms, we be⯑lieve this gentleman publiſhed a ſingle Sermon.
Of Walworth. This gentleman has been pro⯑perly called the would-be Reſtorer of unintelligible Myſticiſm and ſuperſtitious Pagan Nonſenſe. He is a moſt enthuſiaſtic admirer of the Platonic ſchool, and has, for ſeveral years paſt, occaſionally aſtoniſhed the Public with ſome ſtrange production or other. In 1787, he publiſhed a Tranſlation of the Myſtical Hymns of Orpheus, in an octavo vo⯑lume; and alſo a paraphraſed Tranſlation of Ploti⯑tinus CONCERNING THE BEAUTIFUL. Since that time, he has publiſhed a Tranſlation of Proclus' Commentaries on the firſt Book of Eu⯑clid's Elements; a Diſſertation on the Eleuſinian and Bacchic Myſteries; a Tranſlation of the Cra⯑tylus, Phaedo, Parmenides, and Timaeus of Plato; Salluſt on the Gods and the World, &c. a Tran⯑ſlation of Apuleius' Fable of Cupid and Pſyche; and a Tranſlation of Pauſanias' Deſcription of Greece, with Notes, in three volumes, octavo. He has alſo announced his intention of giving a complete Tranſlation of Plato's Works. Mr. Taylor has a very reſpectable ſhare of learning, and is no leſs indefatigable than he is whimſical.
A bookſeller, and a diſſenting preacher. He has publiſhed ſeveral ſingle Sermons, beſide ſome other ſmall Theological Pieces; and alſo an Eſſay on the Truth and Inſpiration of the Scriptures; "The Conſiſtent Chriſtian," the ſubſtance of five ſer⯑mons; and Memoirs of the late Rev. W. Thomp⯑ſon, of Boſton, Lincolnſhire, with a Diſcourſe oc⯑caſioned by his Death.
Occuliſt to his Majeſty. The author of an oc⯑tavo volume of pretty "Verſes on various Occa⯑ſions," publiſhed in 1795.
His Lordſhip has written many Charades, Ana⯑grams, Rebuſes, and Acroſtics, a Selection of which may be ſeen in Mr. Debrett's Foundling Hoſpital for Wit.
Maſter of the Grammar School at Richmond, Yorkſhire, and Vicar of Eaſby. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1772, "The Written Word the only Rule of Chriſtian Faith and Manners," a pious and ſenſible tract, conſiſting of three diſcourſes. Some years afterward he wrote, Remarks on Dr. Burgh's Scriptural Confutation; and alſo ſome highly judicious Letters to Dr. Randolph, formerly Preſident of Corpus Chriſti College, Oxford in re⯑ply to his Animadverſions on thoſe Remarks. In 1791, Mr. Temple printed a ſingle Sermon.
Licentiate of the Royal College of Phyſici⯑ans, London. He publiſhed, in 1792, an octavo volume, entitled, "Practice of Phyſic," which is a uſeful compendium for young practitioners, upon the arrangement of Cullen's Noſology.
Major of Marines. He publiſhed, in 1789, a Narrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay, for [301] the Conveyance of Convicts, an octavo pamphlet; and has, ſince that time, written a complete Ac⯑count of the Settlement of Port Jackſon, in New South Wales. The latter of theſe productions takes up the hiſtory of the Settlement where the former drops it, and brings it down to the end of the year 1791, when Major Tench left the place. He has contributed largely by his inland travels to the knowledge which we have of the country about Port Jackſon; but he is, perhaps, amenable on the ſcore of exhibiting the dark ſide of the pic⯑ture. An octavo volume of highly intereſting Let⯑ters written by Major Tench in France, to a Friend in London, was publiſhed in 1796. While he was of his Majeſty's ſhip Alexander, that veſſel was captured by a French ſquadron; and theſe Letters were written between November, 1794 and May, 1795. The air of truth and man⯑lineſs which pervades them, and the entertaining manner in which they are written, characteriſe them as peculiarly pleaſing.
This conſpicuous character, after a very infe⯑rior education, was articled to an attorney; and early in life exhibited that reſtleſs, unſatisfied, tur⯑bulent diſpoſition, by which he has of late peculi⯑arly diſtinguiſhed himſelf. Upon the publication [302] of Paine's "Rights of Man," Mr. Thelwall was one of the firſt to diſplay a zealous attachment to his principles; and he ſoon afterward began to deli⯑ver a courſe of Lectures of an inflammatory ten⯑dency, at Beaufort Buildings in the Strand. Here, evening after evening, he thundered out philip⯑pics againſt the Conſtitution of his country, with the vehemence of an impaſſioned demagogue, to the admiration of the vileſt refuſe of the metropo⯑lis. In the year 1794, theſe Diſcourſes were in⯑terrupted by the hand of Government, and the ora⯑tor was conveyed to the Tower to take his trial, together with Hardy, Tooke and ſome other un⯑ruly citizens. During his confinement, Mr. Thel⯑wall wrote ſome Poems, which were publiſhed after his releaſe. Having been tried at the Seſſions Houſe, Old Bailey, in November, 1794, and ac⯑quitted with the other priſoners, his ſubſequent behaviour has been no leſs marked by its miſ⯑chievous tendency, than it was previouſly to his impriſonment. Under the ſemblance of illuſtrating Ancient Hiſtory, he has continued his political Lectures, and has transferred his pernicious ſchool to different parts of the country. At Yarmouth he was, ſome time ago, interrupted in a very ſe⯑rious manner in the midſt of his oratory, by the abrupt entrance of a body of ſailors, who were heated with liquor, and who, actuated by an im⯑iprudent zeal, committed ſeveral unjuſtifiable acts [303] of violence upon the auditory. He alſo experienced ſome riotous oppoſition at Lynn and at Wiſbeach.
As an author, Mr. Thelwall made his firſt ap⯑pearance in 1787, when he publiſhed Orlando and Almeyda, a legendary tale in the manner of Gold⯑ſmith, and alſo "Poems on various Subjects," in two duodecimo volumes. The touching ſimplicity which is characteriſtic of true poetry, is, in theſe wretched pieces, ſupplied by a plain proſaic dic⯑tion, which is as remote as poſſible from it. After this unfortunate attempt, Mr. Thelwall did not ſeek the preſs again till the year 1794, when No. I. of his Political Lectures made its appearance. In the following year he publiſhed "The Natural and Conſtitutional Right of Britons to Annual Parlia⯑ments, Univerſal Suffrage, and the Freedom of Po⯑pular Aſſociation," the Speech which he intended to have delivered on his trial. His ſubſequent pro⯑ductions have been "Sober Reflections on the Se⯑ditious and Inflammatory Letter of the Rt. Hon. Edmund Burke to a Noble Lord;" "Strike but Hear!!!" a pamphlet; an Appeal to Popular, Opinion reſpecting the Proceedings at Yarmouth; "The Rights of Nature againſt the Uſurpations of Eſtabliſhments," in two parts; a particular Account of the Outrages at Lynn and Wiſbeach; "Demo⯑cracy Vindicated," conſiſting of Walter Moylè's Eſſay on the Conſtitution and Government of the Roman State, with a Preface and Notes by Mr. Thelwall; "The Retort Courteous to Maſter [304] Burke;" and the Peripatetic, in three volumes, duo⯑decimo. His writings abound in common-place obſervations, and ſometimes, in moſt offenſive, petu⯑lant ſcurrility.
Rector of Woolwich, and nephew to the late Biſhop of Rocheſter. He is the editor of the Works of Biſhop Thomas, in two volumes, octavo, to which he has prefixed Memoirs of his Life.
Knight of the orders of the White Eagle and St. Staniſlaus, &c. and Fellow of many foreign So⯑cieties. This ingenious Philoſopher and Experi⯑menter is a native of the town of Rumford in the Province of Maſſachuſets. During the late war between the Colonies and the mother Country, he raiſed a regiment of American Dragoons, and ſig⯑naliſed himſelf on many occaſions during the heat of that conteſt. In 1784, by his Majeſty's permiſſion, he engaged himſelf in the ſervice of his Serene Highneſs the Elector Palatine, Reigning Duke of Bavaria, and was employed in various public ſervices, particularly in arranging his military af⯑fairs, [305] and in introducing a new ſyſtem of order, dicipline, and oeconomy among his troops. He alſo formed eſtabliſhments for the relief of the poor at Munich, furniſhed them with employment, ſug⯑geſted many plans for providing them with food at ſmall expence, and, by various experiments, enabled them to abridge their conſumption of fuel. In purſuing theſe enquiries, he made ſome valuable diſcoveries in the conſtruction of Chimneys; and was enabled to point out means, which have ſince been ſucceſsfully put in practice in this country alſo, of increaſing the heat, and, at the ſame time, decreaſing the quantity of fuel. Count Rumford, moreover, introduced manufactures into Munich, until then unknown; and was the mean of fami⯑liarizing the uſe of the Potatoe in Germany. The honours which he has received from his new maſ⯑ter the Elector are of the higheſt diſtinction.
The publications of Count Rumford have been confined to his Experimental Eſſays, Political, Oeconomical, and Philoſophical, ſeven of which have been publiſhed in octavo pamphlets. They have been very generally read, and breathe, in every page, the benevolent and philoſophic ſpirit of their author.
Formerly a Clergyman of the Church of Scot⯑land, and at preſent a reſident of the Metropolis. This gentleman wrote the continuation of Dr. Ro⯑bert Watſon's Hiſtory of Philip III. of Spain, which was left unfiniſhed by its author. He was alſo the real editor of the Commentary on the Bi⯑ble, which was publiſhed under the names, Her⯑ries; and is underſtood to have been concerned in the original inſtitution of the Engliſh Review, and to have written the Review of Politics, which was ſubjoined to each number. Dr. Thomſon has alſo publiſhed, "The Man in the Moon," a political and philoſophical romance, in two volumes, duo⯑decimo; a Tranſlation of the Hiſtory of Great Bri⯑tain, from the Revolution to the Acceſſion of George I. written in Latin by Mr. Alexander Cun⯑ningham, in two volumes, quarto; an Appeal to the People of England and Scotland in behalf of Mr. Haſtings; Memoirs of the War in Aſia, in two volumes, octavo, which was alſo intended to vindicate the late Governor-general; and "Mam⯑muth, or Human Nature diſplayed on a grand Scale," in two duodecimo volumes. Dr. Thomſon is a friend of Dr. Parr, and aſſiſted him with ſome Obſerva⯑tions inſerted in the ſequel to a Paper circulated by the Rev. Charles Curtis. As an author he [307] unites great vigour of invention, great depth of ob⯑ſervation, and great eloquence of expreſſion, with remarkable negligence of compoſition. It has been happily ſaid of him, that he can be romantic without extravagance, and eccentric without abſurdity.
Author of an octavo volume, entitled, "The Spirit of General Hiſtory," in a ſeries of Letters from the eighth to the the eighteenth century, firſt publiſhed in 1791. This uſeful performance was honoured with a long liſt of ſubſcribers.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1791, in an oc⯑tavo volume, "Whiſt," a poem, which poſſeſſes conſiderable merit. He has, ſince that time, written an ingenious Eſſay on Novels; "The Paradiſe of Taſte," a poem; and "The German Miſcellany," conſiſting of tranſlations of dramas, dialogues, tales, and novels. Mr. Thomſon, as a writer, poſſeſſes no mean talents in the art of pleaſing; but he cannot be ſaid to rank in the firſt claſs in point of ſtrength, elegance, and taſte.
An Officer in the Army, and a very ſenſible and well-informed writer. He has publiſhed, Tranſlations from the French of M. de Pauw's Philoſophical Diſſertations on the Greeks, and on the Egyptians and Chineſe, each in two volumes, octavo; and was alſo, we believe, the tranſlator of D'Antoni's Treatiſes on Gun-powder, Fire-arms and the Service of Artillery in Time of War.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1796, in an oc⯑tavo volume, a Tranſlation of Suetonius' Lives of the firſt twelve Caeſars, with annotations, and a Review of the Government and Literature of the different Periods. Nearly all the Latin claſſical authors having flouriſhed in the period which form the ſubject of Suetonius' Hiſtory, this tranſlation was judiciouſly choſen as a vehicle for an examina⯑tion of the State of Literature among the Romans; and Dr. Thomſon has executed his undertaking in a manner worthy of a ſcholar. We believe this gentleman publiſhed, in 1781, an Enquiry into the Nature, Cauſes, and Method of Cure of Nervous Diſorders, in a Letter to a friend.
Late of Trinity College, Cambridge. An emi⯑nent Botaniſt and Phyſician. He has publiſhed "A new Illuſtration of the Sexual Syſtem of Lin⯑naeus," a ſplendid work; and alſo "Medical Ex⯑tracts," in four octavo volumes.
Archdeacon of Northumberland, Rector of Gateſhead, and formerly Fellow of St. Peter's College, Cambridge. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1777, Vol. I. (in quarto) of an Engliſh Tran⯑ſlation of Sir Iſaac Newton's Principia with a Commentary, comprehending Book I. of that work. Owing, as we ſuppoſe, to a want of encourage⯑ment, this undertaking has never been proſecuted farther. The part which Dr. Thorp has committed to the public cannot be ſaid to be a very favourable ſpecimen of his appropriate talents for ſuch an undertaking. His Commentary is, for the moſt part, a tranſlation of the Notes by the Jeſuits; and in the management of fluxions, a deficiency of knowledge and of addreſs is apparent through⯑out. Beſide this publication, Dr. Thorp has printed two ſingle Sermons, one preached at the [310] Aſſizes at Newcaſtle, in 1768, and the other be⯑fore the Univerſity of Cambridge, in 1792.
An intelligent Antiquarian, who has devoted his particular enquiries to the Town and County of Leiceſter. He publiſhed, in 1780, "Memoirs of the Town and County of Leiceſter," in ſix du⯑odecimo volumes; and has, ſince that time, pro⯑duced "Select Views in Leiceſterſhire," from ori⯑ginal Drawings, in two volumes, quarto; a Letter to the Earl of Leiceſter, on the Diſcovery of the Roman Cloaca or ſewer at Leiceſter; and the Hiſtory and Antiquities of the Town of Leiceſter, in a quarto volume. Mr. Throſby has a good deal of induſtry, but not much taſte.
Of the Inner Temple. Author of "The Practice of the Court of King's Bench in perſonal Actions," in two volumes octavo, of which the firſt was publiſhed in 1790, and the ſecond four years afterward. This well-executed work is to conſiſt three parts, the firſt and ſecond of which are comprehended in the above volumes. Mr. Tidd has alſo publiſhed a pertinent pamphlet on the [311] Law of Coſts in civil Actions, which was after⯑ward reprinted in Part II. of his "Practice."
Author of three pamphlets, viz. "The Real Situation of the Eaſt India Company conſidered," publiſhed in 1787; two Letters to Mr. Dundas and Mr. Hobart, reſpecting the Colcheſter Peti⯑tion, publiſhed in 1791; and a Letter to Mr. Dundas, on Mr. Anderſon's Statement of the Af⯑fairs of the Eaſt India Company, publiſhed the year following. Mr. Tierney was voted in upon petition, as Member for the Borough of South⯑wark, the election of Mr. Thelluſſon, his ſucceſsful opponent at the general election in 1796, having been made void, on account of his violation of the Statute of ſeventh William III. Cap. 4. He is become a conſpicuous member of the oppoſition.
Rector of Billingford in Norfolk. This gentle⯑man publiſhed, in 1791, "Juvenile Excurſions in Literature and Criticiſm," a duodecimo volume, which does him conſiderable credit as a polite ſcholar. He has, ſince that time written "Plain Truth in a Plain Dreſs," a ſixpenny pamphlet; [312] and the Hiſtory and Antiquities of the Abbey and Borough of Eveſham, compiled chiefly from MSS. in the Britiſh Muſeum, a quarto volume, of great merit.
Minor Canon of Canterbury, and author of an octavo volume, containing ſome Account of the Deans of Canterbury from the new Foundation of that Church by Henry VIII. to the preſent time (1795), a curious work.
Author of "A Tour to the Iſle of Wight," il⯑luſtrated with eighty views, drawn and engraved in aqua-tinta, in two large octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1796, a very ſplendid publication.
Barriſter at Law. Editor of Jacob's Law Dic⯑tionary, in two volumes, quarto; and author of a pamphlet, in Explanation of the Law of Wills and Codicils, publiſhed in 1785; Repertorium Ju⯑ridicum, a general Index to the Caſes and Plead⯑ings [313] in Law and Equity contained in all the Re⯑ports, Year-books, &c. publiſhed in 1786, in fo⯑lio; and Rules of Evidence before Election Com⯑mittees, an octavo volume.
This celebrated character was formerly, while he bore the ſirname of Horne, a member of St. John's College, Cambridge, and afterward a Clergyman of Brentford in Middleſex. He took a very active part in the election canvas of Mr. Wilkes, at the me⯑morable period of 1768; and was deeply concerned with Meſſrs. Glynn, Sawbridge, Oliver, Townſend, Bellas, Vaughan, &c. in the ſubſequent meaſures, for the ſupport of Mr. Wilkes' cauſe, and in the in⯑ſtitution of the Society of the Bill of Rights. An accuſation having been brought againſt Mr. Wilkes, that he ſtrove to engroſs the whole ſubſcription money of this ſociety to himſelf, and that he would not permit the other ſufferers in the cauſe of liberty to ſhare in its benefits, Mr. Horne together with many others, deſerted his political leader, and a newſpaper controverſy, ſoon afterward, broke out between theſe two gentleman, in which they very liberally accuſed each other of roguery and ſwindling, about an important affair of a Welch poney, and a packet of foul linen. Mr. Horne alſo entered the liſts with the celebrated JUNIUS, a con⯑teſt [314] in which the political divine is commonly thought to have come off ſecond-beſt. While Miniſter of New Brentford, he publiſhed in the year 1796, a ſingle Sermon on the precarious tenure of human friend⯑ſhip; and, in the year following, an Oration which he delivered at a numerous Meeting of the Free⯑holders of Middleſex, at Mile-end Aſſembly Room, March 30th, 1770, to conſider of an Addreſs, Re⯑monſtrance, and Petition to his Majeſty. It is probable that the manner in which he had embroiled himſelf in political diſpute, and the conſpicuous and improper part which he had acted, were his in⯑ducements to the reſignation of his gown. Since that time he has made himſelf a moſt conſpicuous champion of republicaniſm. In the year 1777, he was tried for a libel, in having charged the King's troops with murdering the American ſoldiery at Lexington and Bunker's Hill. He ſubpoenaed Lord George Sackville and, ſeveral of the King's Miniſters, who did not think it proper to anſwer his ſummons; and, having undertaken to plead his own cauſe, he delivered a ſpeech three hours in length, full of ingenuity, argument, and ſhrewdneſs. This ſpeech, printed in the State Trials, is highly creditable to his talents, as a conſtitutional lawyer.
Mr. Horne was, at this time, preparing himſelf for the bar; but objections were raiſed to exclude him from the profeſſion he had choſen, and in ſe⯑veral attempts which he made to addreſs his old audiences of freeholders and others, he was con⯑ſtantly [315] overborne and ſilenced. The native energy of his mind enabled him to find a conſolation amid theſe diſappointments in the purſuits of literature and having applied himſelf to the ſtudy of Univerſal Grammar, the firſt fruit of his labour appeared in a Letter to Mr. John Dunning (Lord Aſhburton) publiſhed in 1777. This pamphlet, now become very ſcarce, is the ſkeleton of his ſubſequent cele⯑brated work on this ſubject, to be noticed here⯑after; and it is ſaid Dr. Johnſon thought ſo well of it, that he told a friend, if he ever printed a new edition of his dictionary, he ſhould adopt many of Mr. Horne's etymologies of the conjunctions. Five years after this he publiſhed a Letter to Lord Aſh⯑burton on Parliamentary Reform, which was re⯑printed by Ridgway in 1794. Mr. Horne aſſumed the ſirname of Tooke in the year 1782, in conſe⯑quence of the will of Andrew Tooke Eſq. a gentle⯑man who bequeathed him an eſtate; and in 1786 he publiſhed celebrated etymological work, entitled, [...], or Diverſions of Purley, in an octavo volume. Theſe WINGED WORDS obtained the above title from Purley near Croydon, at that time the reſidence of the author, and formerly the ſeat of Preſident Bradſhaw. In this work Mr. Tooke has pointed out, and has himſelf proceeded far in, a path before untrodden, and evidently leading to improve⯑ments, by which the ſcience of grammar may be eſtabliſhed on a ſure baſis. It has been highly ad⯑mired, and is conceived by the generality of its rea⯑ders [316] to have totally demoliſhed the ſyſtem of Mr. James Harris of Saliſbury, who had long ſhared in profuſion the compliments of the literari. A con⯑tinuation of his grammatical reſearches has been promiſed to the world; and we have underſtood that "The Diverſions of Purley," are reprinting in quarto. In the year 1787, Mr. Tooke publiſhed an extraordinary Letter in defence of Mrs. Fitzherbert, under the idea of her being the lawful conſort of the Prince of Wales; and in the year following "Two pair of Portraits," a pamphlet, exhibiting, in the painter's own ſtyle, the late Lords Chatham and Holland, and their ſons Meſſrs Pitt and Fox.
Mr. Tooke diſtinguiſhed himſelf ſome years ago as the ſtrenuous partiſan of Lord Hood in the Weſt⯑minſter Election. In 1792 an action of debt, foun⯑ded on the ſtatute 28 Geo III. c. 52, was brought againſt him by Mr. Fox for the ſum of £ 198 2s. 2d. the taxed amount of Mr. Fox's expences, incurred in defending himſelf againſt the memorable petition preſented by Mr. Tooke to the Houſe of Commons. The verdict of the Jury was, with great deliberation and juſtice, in favour of the plaintiff, and Mr. Tooke himſelf publiſhed an account of the proceed⯑ings. Being a very active Member of the Corre⯑ſponding Society, he was taken into cuſtody in May 1794, by a warrant from the Secretary of State, on ſuſpicion, of High Treaſon, and was afterward com⯑mitted to the Tower. His trial came on at the Seſ⯑ſions Houſe in the Old Baily, the November follow⯑ing [317] together with thoſe of Hardy, Thelwall, &c. and ended in his acquittal. In 1796 he offered him⯑ſelf for the ſecond time as a candidate for repreſenting the City of Weſtminſter in company with Meſſrs. Fox, and Admiral Sir Alan Gardner. Not having any proſpect of ſucceſs, he amuſed himſelf upon the huſtings with deriding Sir Alan Gardner before an ignorant unprincipled mob!
However unpopular Mr. Tooke may have made himſelf with the better part of mankind by the diſ⯑tinction he has aimed at as a Philoſopher of the New Sect, he is certainly entitled to the credit of firſt-rate abilities. His ſtyle is clear and nervous, and the acuteneſs of his intellect has ſeldom been equalled. As a Scholar and Philologiſt his fame will probably live while our language exiſts; and even as a Politician it has been ſaid for him, that he is one of the few of his day whoſe conduct has been uniformly conſiſtent with itſelf.
This gentleman was for many years Chaplain to the Factory at St. Petersburgh. He publiſhed, in the year 1780, two volumes (in octavo) of "Ruſſia, or a complete Hiſtorical Account of all the Nations which compoſe that Empire." To theſe he after⯑ward added two more volumes, completing a work which has been generally thought to redound very [318] little to the credit of its author. Mr. Tooke has announced his intention of ſpeedily publiſhing a Life of the late Empreſs of Ruſſia, in two vo⯑lumes, octavo.
Formerly an Officer in the Guards, and, for a long time, the Editor of the World, a newſpaper, which he inſtituted on the firſt of January, 1787. His firſt publication was an octavo volume of "Let⯑ters from Edinburgh," written in the years 1774 and 1775, and publiſhed in 1776. Mr. Topham has, ſince that time, written an Addreſs to Mr. Burke, on his Letter relative to the affairs of America; the Fool, a farce brought out at Covent Garden, for the benefit of Mrs. Wells; the Weſtminſter School-boy, a farce, which was very properly damned, unheard, by the Weſtminſter Scholars; the Life of the late John Elwes, Eſq. the celebrated Miſer, a pam⯑phlet; and an Account of a remarkable Stone that fell from the Clouds. Of theſe pieces, the beſt written is the Life of Elwes.
A Socinian Miniſter at Taunton in Somerſet⯑ſhire. His firſt publication was a ſingle Sermon, on [319] the Death of his Royal Highneſs William Duke of Cumberland, in the year 1765. He has ſince that time publiſhed many more ſingle Sermons; a vo⯑lume of Sermons addreſſed to youth, firſt printed in duodecimo, and afterward reprinted in octavo; two Letters on the Applications to Parliament by the Proteſtant Diſſenting Miniſters, publiſhed in 1774; Memoirs of the Life and Writings of So⯑cinus, in an octavo volume; Letters to the Rev. John Sturges, in Anſwer to his Conſiderations on the preſent State of the Church Eſtabliſhment, publiſhed in 1782; Diſſertations on the internal Evidences and Excellence of Chriſtianity, in an octavo volume; an Eſſay on Baptiſm; a Review of the Life, Character, and Writings of the Rev. John Biddle, the Father of the Engliſh Unitarians, who was baniſhed to Sicily, in the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell; The Hiſtory of the Town of Taunton, in a thin quarto volume; a new edition of Neal's Hiſtory of the Puritans, in three volumes, octavo; and Memoirs of the Life of Dr. Samuel Morton Savage, prefixed to an octavo volume of the Doc⯑tor's Sermons. Mr. Toulmin is a ſenſible and a pleaſing writer.
Author of a deiſtical octavo volume, publiſhed in 1780, under the title, "The Antiquity and Duration of the World;" and republiſhed five years afterward, under the title, "The Eternity of the World." This book has been admired by ſome readers for its learning and acuteneſs. Dr. Toulmin has alſo publiſhed "The inſtruments of Medicine; or, the Philoſophical Digeſt and Prac⯑tice of Phyſic," an octavo volume of ſome merit.
A Diſſenting Clergyman, formerly a Bookſeller in Fore Street. Obtaining the patronage of certain diſſenting miniſters, he was encouraged to apply himſelf to the cultivation of letters, and embraced the profeſſion of a divine. In 1774 he was choſen paſtor of a congregation of proteſtant diſſenters at Highgate, and was elected, four years afterward, one of the miniſters of the congregation at Newing⯑ton Green: he thus became joint-miniſter of that congregation for ſeveral years with the celebrated Dr. Price, and ſtill continues in the ſame office. [321] In the year 1779, the Univerſity of Edinburgh con⯑ferred on him the degree of L. L. D.
Of the literary productions of Dr. Towers, the firſt was a pamphlet, entitled, "A Review of the Genuine Doctrines of Chriſtianity," which was publiſhed in 1763. Since that time, he has publiſhed a Charity Sermon, and many Tracts, a chiefly temporary and political. Of theſe Tracts a Collection was made by the Doctor, in 1796, in three octavo volumes. They are marked by an attachment to the intereſts of virtue and religion; but are written upon whig principles, and are cha⯑racteriſtic of a politician who is more addicted to warmth than ſtrict moderation can approve. Dr. Towers has alſo written the firſt ſeven volumes of a work, entitled "Britiſh Biography," in ten vo⯑lumes, octavo; Memoirs of the Life and Reign of Frederick III. King of Pruſſia, in two volumes, octavo; and an Oration delivered at the London Tavern November 4th, 1788, on occaſion of the commemoration of the Revolution, and comple⯑tion of a century from that great event. He alſo gave conſiderable aſſiſtance to Dr. Kippis in pre⯑paring the new edition of the Biographia Britannica; and is ſuppoſed to be the editor of the laſt edition of the Britiſh Plutarch. Dr. Towers was ſaid, at one time, to have engaged in writing a Continu⯑ation of Hume's Hiſtory of England, but, we be⯑lieve, that plan is laid aſide. As a compiler he has great merit.
A Diſſenting Miniſter. He has publiſhed ſome Funeral Orations, and is the author of a ſenſible Letter which appeared in Woodfall's Diary, in Defence of the Diſſenters, on the occaſion of an Attack upon them by Dr. Tatham.
Author of "A Journal kept in the Iſle of Man," publiſhed in two octavo volumes, in 1791. A very indifferent performance.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1794, an octavo volume, conſiſting of ſix Sermons, of ſome merit, which were preached before Paul le Meſurier, Eſq. when Lord Mayor of the City of London, at which time Mr. Townley was his Chaplain.
Rector of Pewſey, Wilts. Formerly of Clare-Hall, Cambridge, and afterward Chaplain to the late Jean, Ducheſs Dowager of Atholl. This gen⯑tleman's firſt publication was a ſingle Sermon, printed in 1765. In the year 1781, he publiſhed a ſmall anonymous octavo volume, entitled, "Free Thoughts on deſpotic and free Governments;" and, ſeven years afterward, a pamphlet, conſiſting of Obſervations on various Plans offered to the Public for the Relief of the Poor. It was in the year 1791, that Mr. Townſend favoured the pub⯑lic with an Account of his Journey through Spain, in 1786, and 1787, in three octavo volumes. This work, upon the whole, does great credit to its author; but had he been leſs circumſtantial on ſub⯑jects of chemiſtry and natural hiſtory, as well as in deſcribing local peculiarities of the country, he would probably have ſucceeded better in the im⯑portant point of attracting readers. Since the ap⯑pearance of this his chief publication, Mr. Townſ⯑end has ſet a very praiſe-worthy example to his reverend brethren, by the proofs he has given the world of his attention to medical ſubjects. In 1794, he publiſhed "The Phyſician's Vade-me⯑cum." a duodecimo volume, for the uſe of ſtudents; and, in the following year, Vol. I. (in octavo) [324] of "A Guide to Health," to which he has ſince added another volume. This work has been fa⯑vourably received, and the number of thoſe readers will be ſmall who cannot derive valuable infor⯑mation from it. Few are the means ſo open for the general comfort of the poor, as an imitation of Mr. Townſend's example among the body of the Clergy! In 1796, Mr. Townſend publiſhed a ſhort Diſſertation on the Poor Laws.
A Diſſenting Miniſter at Rotherhithe. He is the author of an anonymous pamphlet, entitled, "Remarks on the late Charge of the Biſhop of St. David's" (Dr. Horſley, now Biſhop of Rocheſ⯑ter); "Three Sermons," addreſſed to Old, Mid⯑dle-aged, and Young People; and a few ſingle Diſcourſes.
Of Gray's Inn. This gentleman publiſhed a pamphlet, in 1796, entitled, "A Summary De⯑fence" of Mr. Burke, which was abundantly abuſed for its abſurdity, by the Critics of the day. [325] In the year following, he publiſhed a duodecimo volume of Poems, embelliſhed with vignettes.
This gentleman has appeared before the pub⯑lic as an Experimenter, and as a Traveller; but with the greater ſucceſs in the firſt capacity. He printed at Gottingen, in 1794-5 Obſervationes Phy⯑ſiologicae, a quarto pamphlet, containing highly cu⯑rious and accurate obſervations on Amphibious Animals. In 1796, he publiſhed, in London, "Travels in Hungary, with a ſhort Account of Vienna, in the year 1793," a quarto volume. This work, being ground untrodden by any of our late touriſts, muſt excite an attention which it is, unfortunately, ill-calculated to gratify in a pleaſing manner. It diſcovers, but two frequently, the un⯑claſſical taſte of its author.!
This Clergyman has been principally employed In Tranſlating, a taſk, in which he is, by no means, peculiarly adroit. He has tranſlated from the Ger⯑man, D'Archenholtz's Picture of Italy; Stoever's Life of Sir Charles Linnaeus; and the Genius, a novel.
Of Trelawney in Cornwall. Son of the late Governor of Jamaica, and a deſcendant of a very ancient family. He is a gentleman, ſingularly diſ⯑tinguiſhed by his progreſs through almoſt every ſtage of theological opinion. From a Methodiſt he be⯑came a Calviniſtical Diſſenter; from a Calviniſt, a ſtern and rigid Socinian; and from a Socinian, a Clergyman of our Eſtabliſhed Church, and a humble Subſcriber to the thirty-nine Articles. About two months previouſly to this laſt gradation, he pub⯑liſhed a very ſpirited Letter to the Rev. Francis Alcock, upon the Sin of Subſcription! Sir Harry has alſo printed one or two ſingle Sermons.
An Artiſt of diſtinction, who has ſpent much of his time in Italy. He publiſhed, anonymouſly, in 1796 "The Sea-ſick Minſtrel," a poem, which, though marked with negligence and incorrect taſte, beſpeaks poetical ability.
A German Miniſter. Author of ſeveral curious Theological Works. In an octavo volume, entitled, "A Key to the French Revolution," he labours to prove that Pius VI. and the Jeſuits were the origi⯑nal inſtigators of that event! Buonaparte had not yet reached the gates of Rome when this pub⯑lication made its appearnce.
Of Brentford. A lady who has devoted her atten⯑tion, as an author, to the improvement of young minds. In 1780, ſhe publiſhed an eaſy Introduc⯑tion to the Knowledge of Nature and Reading the Holy Scriptures, an octavo volume. Since that time ſhe has written, "Sacred Hiſtory," in ſix duodecimo volumes; a little Spelling-book; the Servant's Friend; the Oeconomy of Charity; an Account of Sunday Schools in Old Brentford; a Commentary on Watts' Divine Songs; Eaſy Leſ⯑ſons for young Children; the two Farmers, a tale; Cobwebs to catch Flies; the Sunday Scholar's Ma⯑nual; the Sunday School Catechiſt; Fabulous Hiſ⯑tories; Reflections upon the Education of Chil⯑dren in Charity Schools; an Attempt to familiariſe [328] the Catechiſm; an Explanation of the Office for the Public Baptiſm of Infants; and a Companion to the Prayer Book, in two duodecimo volumes. Her uſeful and benevolent labours have been gene⯑rally approved.
Of Hendon in Middleſex. He published, in 1781, an Eſſay on the Engliſh Grammar; and has, ſince that time, written an Enquiry reſpecting the Medicinal Waters of Eſſex; a volume of practical Sermons; and a ſeries of diſcourſes under the title, "The Philanthropic Monitor."
Member of the Royal Medical Society of Edin⯑burgh, long a Navy Surgeon, and lately Phyſician to his Majeſty's Fleet under the Command of Ad⯑miral Lord Howe. He publiſhed, in 1786, "Ob⯑ſervations on the Scurvy▪" a pamphlet, in refuta⯑tion of Dr. Milman's opinions on the diſeaſe; which was greatly enlarged and improved in a ſe⯑cond edition, in 1792. His poſition reſpecting the ſcurvy is, that it is produced from a deficiency of vegetable matter alone, which is confirmed by [329] proving from fact, that impure air will not, of itſelf, occaſion the diſorder, and that it is curable only by freſh vegetables, or their acid in a natural ſtate. Dr. Trotter has alſo written, a Review of the Medical Department in the Britiſh Navy, a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1790; an octavo volume of Medical and Chemical Eſſays; and Medicina Nautica, being an account of the occurrences with reſpect to health of the channel fleet for three years, in an octavo volume, both of which were publiſhed in 1797. He is, for the greater part, a judicious writer, a careful obſerver, and an active promoter of improvements in the peculiar department of his profeſſion.
A Literary Pedlar, whoſe ſmall-ware is of the vileſt quality. The firſt commodity which he of⯑fered to the public was a duodecimo volume, en⯑titled, "Chronology," publiſhed in 1768, and which was, afterward, amplified into two volumes. Since that time, he has ſpawned upon the pub⯑lic innumerable goods of commercial, hiſtorical, theological, political, &c. fabric, which are too contemptible to deſerve enumeration. He is the publiſher of the worſe of the two Clerical Alma⯑nacks, and vends Sermons for the uſe of the pulpit, printed in imitation of hand-writing, the moſt un⯑ſpeakable [330] traſh that can be conceived. It is a ſcandal to the diſcernment of the literary world that ſuch a pettifogging driveller in the trade of authorſhip, has not, long ago, been ruined and broken.
Dean of Glouceſter. A gentleman chiefly ce⯑lebrated for his commercial and political Tracts. In the early part of his life he was Rector of St. Stephen's, Briſtol, and Chaplain to the Biſhop of that dioceſe. His firſt publication was an excellent treatiſe, entitled, "A brief Eſſay on the Advan⯑tages and Diſadvantages which reſpectively attend France and Great Britain, with regard to trade." Some years afterward, in 1751, he publiſhed Part I. of Reflections on the Expediency of a Law for the Naturalization of foreign Proteſtants; to which Part II. was ſoon afterward added. Since that time, he has written many more pamphlets in this claſs, a collection of which has been made, in an octavo volume, under the title, "Tracts on Political and Commercial Subjects." Dr. Tucker alſo publiſhed, in 1781, a Treatiſe concerning Civil Government, in reply to Mr. Locke, an octavo volume. The boldneſs and ſpirit which he diſplayed, as a politi⯑cal writer, at one time, brought the credit of his underſtanding conſiderably into queſtion. But his [331] early argument in favour of a ſeparation from Ame⯑rica, and his reaſonings to ſhew that no ma⯑terial diſadvantage would ariſe from it, were ſo far confirmed by experience, and his principles in fa⯑vour of free trade ſo naturally approved themſelves to unbiaſſed minds, that he was not long without a numerous ſet of admirers.
In the claſs of Divinity Dr. Tucker's firſt pub⯑lication was an excellent tract, in 1772, entitled, "An Apology" for the Church of England, written in oppoſition to the petitioning Clergy. This was by far the beſt pamphlet on the occaſion. Soon afterward, he publiſhed "Six Sermons," in a duo⯑decimo volume; Letters to Dr. Kippis on his Vin⯑dication of the Proteſtant Diſſenting Miniſters; two Sermons, together with four Tracts on politi⯑cal and commercial ſubjects; an Eſſay on Reli⯑gious Intolerance; a View of the Difficulties of the Trinitarian, Arian, and Socinian Syſtems; and Seventeen Sermons, in an octavo volume.
We have underſtood that this gentleman is no relation whatever of the late Mr. Abraham Tucker, known in the literary world by the name of EDWARD SEARCH, ESQ.
Niece to the Counteſs of Moira. Her Lady⯑ship publiſhed, in 1796, a duodecimo volume of Poems, of ſome merit.
This lady publiſhed, in 1790, Ramſay's Gentle Shepherd attempted in Engliſh, in an octavo vo⯑lume. She has executed this taſk with conſider⯑able judgement.
Solicitor. Author of "Coſts and preſent Prac⯑tice of the Court of Chancery," in quarto, which has been favourably received.
Author of a well-executed Medical Gloſſary, in which the words in the various branches of Medi⯑cine are deduced from their original languages, [333] properly accented and explained; publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1797.
Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a very diſtinguiſhed Claſſical Scholar. While reſident at the Univerſity of Cambridge, he obtained un⯑precedented honours by the numerous prizes ad⯑judged to him for claſſical compoſitions. Encou⯑raged by the approbation of Dr. Parr, and ſome other diſtinguiſhed ſcholars, he publiſhed in the year 1793, a collection of theſe pieces, in an octavo volume, under the title Proluſiones Juveniles Praemiis Academicis Dignatae. This volume, publiſhed at the age of twenty-two years, is a very ſingular teſtimony in favour of Mr. Tweddell's attainments as an elegant ſcholar; and, if he ſhall cultivate his talents with becoming diligence, we cannot doubt from theſe ſpecimens that he will, one day, rank highly in the world for his literary credit. If the volume can be ſaid to have a fault, it is an oc⯑caſional appearance of affectation in the author; as one inſtance of which, among others, it may be re⯑marked that his beautiful Latin proſe ſometimes ap⯑pears unnatural, and ſometimes even obſcure, from his ſtrains and efforts to introduce choice phraſes and expreſſions, which may diſplay his reading. Mr. Tweddell has, for ſome years, reſided abroad.
Late of Fordham near Colcheſter, and Rector of St. Mary, Colcheſter. A very diſtinguiſhed Claſ⯑ſical Scholar. He publiſhed, in 1789, in a quarto volume, a Tranſlation of Ariſtotle's Treatiſe on Po⯑etry, with Notes and two Diſſertations, a work which has gained him no ſmall ſhare of credit among the Learned. Conſidered in every point of view, it is one of the moſt maſterly performances which our language has ever produced. Beſide this work Mr. Twining has publiſhed three ſingle Ser⯑mons, preached upon particular occaſions; and a ſhort Hiſtory of the Phariſees, a ſix-penny pamphlet.
An eminent Tea-dealer in the Strand, brother to the ſubject of the preceeding raticle. He has publiſhed ſeveral intelligent pamphlets which are chiefly relative to the Tea-trade.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1775, in one vo⯑lume, quarto, "Travels through Portugal and Spain;" and, in the following year, "A Tour in Ireland," in an octavo volume. Though not defi⯑cient in ingenuity and good ſenſe, Mr. Twiſs be⯑longs to the claſs of petits maitres in literature. This circumſtance was the occaſion of two ele⯑gant and ſpirited poetical ſatires, publiſhed in the year 1777; the firſt, an Heroic Epiſtle from Donnae Tereſa Pinna Y Ruiz of Murcia to Richard Twiſs, Eſq. F.R.S. after the manner of the Heroic Epiſtle to Sir W. Chambers; and the ſecond, an Heroic Anſwer from Richard Twiſs, Eſq. to Donna Tereſa Pinnae Y Ruiz, by the ſame hand as the former. In 1787, Mr. Twiſs publiſhed an octavo volume, entitled, "Cheſs," in which he gives a very complete and entertaining hiſtory of that game; to this he added a ſecond volume, two years afterward. Since that time, he has written, "A Trip to Paris in July and Auguſt, 1792," a thin octavo volume, in which he is, as uſual, volatile but, for the greater part, ſenſible.
Profeſſor of Univerſal Hiſtory in the Univerſity of Edinburgh. This gentleman diſtinguiſhed him⯑ſelf with reputation in the controverſy reſpecting Mary Queen of Scots. His Enquiry into the evi⯑dence produced by the Earls of Murray and Mor⯑ton, written in favour of the innocence of that Queen, was firſt publiſhed in 1760. It has been greatly enlarged in ſubſequent editions, and now conſiſts of two octavo volumes. In the year 1783, Mr. Tytler publiſhed a Plan and Outlines of his Courſe of Lectures on Univerſal Hiſtory, in an octavo volume, a book whoſe judicious arrange⯑ment and matter render it peculiarly ſerviceable to the ſcholar. We believe this gentleman was the firſt perſon in theſe iſlands who adventured in an air-balloon. In the year 1784, we are told he cleared two barns and a ſtable.
Fellow of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts. He publiſhed, in 1793, a Tranſlation into Engliſh verſe of the Works of Callimachus, in a quarto volume, which is very reſpectably ex⯑ecuted. In 1797, he publiſhed Paedotrophia, or [337] the Art of Nurſing and Rearing Children, a poem, tranſlated from the Latin of Scevole de St. Marthe, in an octavo volume.
OF the Inner Temple. Barriſter at Law. He publiſhed, in the year 1793, a new and excellent edition of Dyer's Reports, in three parts, royal octavo.
VALANGIN.—See De Valangin.
Maſter of Reading School. He publiſhed, in 1783, a Latin Grammar, in which the rules are given in Engliſh, and which has been favunrably re⯑ceived. He has alſo printed two Aſſize Sermons, of great merit; "Poetical Chronology of Ancient and Engliſh Hiſtory," a duodecimo tract, which has been favourably received; and "The Roſes," [338] or Henry VI. an hiſtorical tragedy, repreſented at Reading School, in 1795, and compiled principally from Shakſpeare.
Of Lincoln's Inn. Barriſter at Law. This gen⯑tleman publiſhed, in the year 1796, a very ſeaſonable pamphlet, entitled, "An Enquiry into the State of the Finances of Great Britain, in Anſwer to Mr. Morgan's FACTS." In this performance Mr. Vanſit⯑tart combated the diſingenuous concluſions of his calculating adverſary with conſiderable ſucceſs; and placed himſelf in a very favourable light as a gen⯑tleman of financial knowledge, as well as of mo⯑deration and urbanity of behaviour. About two years previouſly to this pamphlet, Mr. Vanſittart anſwered the Letter to Mr. Pitt, under the ſignature JASPER WILSON, written by Dr. James Currie.
Phyſician at Rocheſter. He publiſhed, in 1791, "An Expoſition of the Principles of Anatomy and Phyſiology," in two octavo volumes, which is a judicious commentary on the Praelectiones Anatomicae of Ferdinand Leber. In the year following, Dr. Vaughan publiſhed a very ridiculous Eſſay, Philo⯑ſophical [339] and Medical, concerning Modern Clothing; and has ſince that time written a pamphlet on the ſuperior Efficacy of the Cinchona Flava, or yellow Pe⯑ruvian Bark.
Author of "The Hotel, or the Double Valet," an indifferent farce, taken from two farces of Goldoni, and brought out at Drury Lane, in 1776; and "Love's Vagaries," a farce, which was received with applauſe, when acted in 1776, at Drury Lane for the benefit of Mrs. Wrighten and Mr. Vernon, was, many years afterward, rejected by Meſſrs Kemble and Colman, jun. and printed in 1791, with a dedication to the rejectors, for the be⯑nefit of the theatrical fund. Mr. Vaughan has alſo written ſome Prologues and Epilogues; and, we believe, a novel, entitled, "Faſhionable Follies."
Barriſter at Law. He publiſhed, in 1793, a fo⯑lio volume of Reports of Caſes in Chancery, co⯑temporary with thoſe by Mr. William Brown.
Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. He has pub⯑liſhed a ſingle Sermon preached before the Univer⯑ſity, in 1791; and a volume of Sermons on the Doctrine of Atonement, preached at the Bampton Lecture, in the year 1795. Theſe diſcourſes poſ⯑ſeſs ſome merit.
A Preacher of Univerſal Redemption and the Univerſal Reſtoration of Mankind. He has pub⯑liſhed ſome ſingle Diſcourſes, and was the editor of an Anſwer to Paine's Age of Reaſon by Mr. Wincheſter.
This gentleman publiſhed, in the year 1789, "Chaubert, or the Miſanthrope," a tragic drama, the circumſtances of which are related in Mr. Cumberland's OBSERVER. This piece, though not calculated for repreſentation, has conſiderable po⯑etic merit, conſidering the age of the writer at the time of its publication. Mr. Villiers alſo pub⯑liſhed [341] in that year, anonymouſly, "A Tour through Part of France," in a ſeries of entertaining letters, forming an octavo volume.
Plumian Profeſſor of Experimental Philoſophy in the Univerſity of Cambridge, and a diſtinguiſhed Mathematician, He was originally of Caius Col⯑lege, Cambridge, took his degree of B.A. with the greateſt diſtinction, in the year 1775, was af⯑terward, for ſome time, Member of Sidney Suſſex College, and, at preſent, reſides in the town of Cambridge. After reading the Plumian Lectures on Experimental Philoſophy, and Practical Aſtro⯑nomy for ſome years in the Univerſity, he ſucceeded the late Dr. Anthony Shepherd in the Profeſſorſhip, in the year 1796.
The firſt appearance of Mr. Vince as an author was in the old mathematical gymnaſium, the La⯑dies Diary, in which, about thirty years ago, he propoſed three Queſtions and anſwered one. In 1781, he publiſhed a uſeful, but inelegant treatiſe on the Elements of the Conic Sections, deſigned for ſtudents in the Univerſity preparatory to the Principia; and has ſince that time publiſhed, like⯑wiſe from the Univerſity-preſs, a Treatiſe on Prac⯑tical Aſtronomy, in a quarto volume; a Plan of his Courſe of Lectures on the Principles of Natural [342] Philoſophy, an octavo pamphlet; and Vol. I. of a Complete Syſtem of Aſtronomy, a work which was greatly wanted. Mr. Vince alſo engaged, in 1795, in aſſociation with Mr. Wood of St. John's College, in the publication of a work, entitled, "The Principles of Mathematics and Natural Philoſophy," which is intended to compriſe, in four octavo volumes, the ſubſtance of the Lectures on thoſe ſubjects, which are uſually read in the Uni⯑verſity. The parts to be drawn up by Mr. Vince are the Fluxions, Hydroſtatics, and Aſtronomy, of which the two firſt are already publiſhed.
As a writer on ſubjects of ſcience, Mr. Vince diſplays conſiderable ingenuity and acuteneſs. Yet, although his works are marked by the characteriſ⯑tics of that graceful School, in which his habits have been formed, they ſeem to want that ſuperior poliſh which genius and elegance of mind alone can give. Setting aſide their frequent uncouthneſs of ſtyle and manner,* they appear rather the offspring, of haſte, and hunger, than the production of a learned Profeſſor, under the auſpices of an univerſity, and in the enjoyment of academical leiſure.
Sub-Almoner to his Majeſty, one of his Ma⯑jeſty's Chaplains in Ordinary, Rector of Allhallows, Thames Street, and Head Maſter of Weſtminſter School. A gentleman of diſtinguiſhed learning and reſpectability of character. His firſt publica⯑tion was a ſenſible tract, entitled, "Conſiderations on Parochial Muſic," which was publiſhed in 1787. Since that time he has publiſhed a Sermon preached at St. Paul's before the Sons of the Clergy, in 1789; a peculiarly excellent Sermon, preached for the Weſtminſter Diſpenſary, in 1792; "The Origination of the Greek Verb, an Hypotheſis," a pamphlet, which was afterward improved, conſi⯑derably enlarged, and republiſhed under the title, "The Greek Verb analyſed ;" De Legione Manli⯑ana Quaeſtio, ex Livio deſumpta, et rei Militaris Ro⯑manae Studioſis propoſita, a very elegant and ingeni⯑ous diſſertation; and "The Voyage of Nearchus from the Indus to the Euphrates," collected from the original journal preſerved by Arrian, and illuſ⯑trated by authorities ancient and modern, in a quarto volume. The laſt of theſe works is accom⯑panied by three diſſertations, the productions of Dr. Horſley, Mr. Wales of Chirſt Hoſpital School, and Mr. De la Rochette. It is a very maſterly performance.
VINCENT, SIR R. BART.—See Hawke.
Licentiate in Midwifery of the Royal College of Phyſicians in London, and Phyſician to the Britiſh Lying-in Hoſpital. This gentleman pub⯑liſhed, in 1783, a Treatiſe upon Ulcers of the Legs, in an octavo volume; ſince which time he has written a Treatiſe on the Diſeaſes of Children, which was originally publiſhed in one volume, octavo, in 1784, and has been favourably received and enlarged to two volumes; and an octavo vo⯑lume, entitled, "Surgical Tracts," in which the Treatiſe upon Ulcers of the Legs is republiſhed.
Preacher of the Goſpel, and correſponding Mem⯑ber of the Natural Hiſtory Society, Edinburgh. He publiſhed, in 1793, "The Hiſtory of Ru⯑therglen and Eaſt-Kilbride," in an octavo volume. This book, written with a wiſh to promote the ſtu⯑dies of antiquity and natural hiſtory, abounds with entertainment and information.
Vicar of Gainſborough, and Prebendary of Lincoln. This gentleman has publiſhed a Tran⯑ſlation into Engliſh Verſe of the Odes of Anacreon, which appeared in a duodecimo volume, in 1787. Though not a very ſucceſsful attempt, it does cre⯑dit to the talents of its author. He has alſo printed a well-written Faſt Sermon, preached at Gainſbo⯑rough February 28th, 1794.
Formerly Maſter of an Academy in Portland Street. He has written ſeveral School-books of conſiderable reputation. In 1770, he publiſhed "The Tutor's Guide," a ſyſtem of arithmetic; and has alſo publiſhed the "Key to the Tutor's Guide; the Lady's Accountant; the Young Arith⯑metician; a Geographical Grammar; and "The New London Spelling Book," each a duodecimo volume.
AUTHOR of three uſeful octavo volumes on the Diſorders of Bengal, viz. "A Paper on the Prevention and Treatment of the Diſorders of Sea⯑men, and Soldiers in Bengal," preſented to the Eaſt India Directors, in 1791; "Select Evidence of a ſucceſsful Method of treating Fever and Dy⯑ſentery in Bengal;" and "Nature and Effects of Emetics, Purgatives, Mercurials, and Low Diet in Diſorders of Bengal and ſimilar Latitudes."
A native of Sweden who has travelled through moſt parts of Europe. He went to Africa with Dr. Sparrman and Captain Arrhenius, under the pa⯑tronage of his ſovereign; and, on his return to Europe, in 1788, viſited London, was invited be⯑fore the Britiſh Privy Council, and delivered his evidence, recorded in its report on the ſubject of the Slave-trade. In 1789, Mr. Wadſtrom publiſhed ſome Obſervations on the Slave-trade; and has alſo written a very inſtructive Eſſay on Coloniza⯑tion, [347] in two parts, quarto, of which Part I. was publiſhed in 1794.
Rector of Badgworth near Axbridge, Somer⯑ſet. Author of a ſmall octavo volume of indiffe⯑rent "Poetical Eſſays," Latin and Engliſh, pub⯑liſhed in 1796.
Vicar of Backwell, Somerſet, and Curate of St. Michael's Bath. He has publiſhed two Ser⯑mons, preached on particular occaſions; and "A Liberal Verſion of the Pſalms into Modern Lan⯑guage," with notes, in two volumes, ſmall octavo, a performance which does him little credit in point of judgement or learning.
Of Hackney. A very diſtinguiſhed Claſſical Scholar: formerly a clergyman of the Eſtabliſh⯑ment, at preſent, a diſſenting layman. Mr. Wakefield was born at Nottingham, in 1756, his father being then Rector of St. Nicholas, in that [348] town. He was educated at the Free-ſchool, Not⯑tingham; under the Rev. Richard Wooddeſon, of Kingſton-upon-Thames; and at Jeſus College, Cambridge: having, in his earlieſt infancy, diſco⯑vered that ardent deſire of knowledge, which, from his unceaſing application, appears never to have been impaired. At the "Univerſity Mr. Wakefield cultivated uſeful learning with great ſucceſs; and, on his admiſſion to the degree of B. A. in 1776, received diſtinguiſhed honours for his mathematical, as well as for his claſſical at⯑tainments. Soon after this he was elected Fellow of Jeſus College; and, in 1778, was ordained a deacon. Mr. Wakefield was even then ſo little ſatisfied with the requiſition of ſubſcription, and with the ſubjects of that ſubſcription themſelves, that, as he properly confeſſes in the MEMOIRS of his own Life, he has ſince regarded this acquieſcence as an action highly diſingenuous. While he held his ſtation in the Church, which has now for many years been relinquiſhed, he was ſucceſſively, for a ſhort time, curate of Stockport in Cheſhire, and of St. Peter's and St. Paul's in Liverpool. In the year 1779, he removed to Warrington in Lan⯑caſhire, to accept the office of Claſſical Tutor at the diſſenting Academy in that town. Here Mr. Wakefield remained until the diſſolution of that ſeminary, in 1783, when he removed to Bramcote near Nottingham, with a view of receiving pupils; and, after a ſhort reſidence at this place, and at [349] Richmond, lived for ſome years at Nottingham, in the ſame occupation. In 1790, he was choſen Claſſical Tutor of the New College, Hackney; ſince which time, that town has been the place of his reſidence. His connexion with the college ended a year after his acceptance of his office, and his ſubſequent days have been ſpent in a diligent proſecution of his ſtudies.
Mr. Wakefield commenced author in the year 1776; when he printed, at the Cambrige preſs Poemata Latine partim Scripta partim Reddita, with a few critical Obſervations on Horace, in a ſmall quarto volume. Although he has ſince diſcovered one falſe quantity in theſe poems, they do him great credit as a very elegant ſcholar at an early age. His next publication was a new Tranſlation of St. Paul's firſt Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians, ac⯑companied by ſuch notes as were neceſſary to juſtify his variations from the eſtabliſhed verſion. This was publiſhed in 1781, and experienced a favourable reception. His numerous ſubſequent publications followed each other at no very con⯑ſiderable intervals of time, in nearly the following order, viz. an Eſſay on Inſpiration, conſidered chiefly with reſpect to the Evangeliſts; a ſhort Treatiſe on Baptiſm; a new Tranſlation of St. Matthew, with Notes, critical, philological, and explanatory, in a quarto volume; Vol. I. (in oc⯑tavo) of an Enquiry into the Opinions of the Chriſtian Writers of the three firſt Centuries con⯑cerning [350] the Perſon of Jeſus Chriſt, which reaches to the concluſion of the apoſtolic age, and which was not followed by more volumes for want of encouragement; a Thankſgiving Sermon preached at Richmond, in 1784; the Poems of Mr. Gray, with Notes, in an octavo volume; the Georgi [...]s of Virgil, with Notes, in an octavo volume; Re⯑marks on Dr. Horſley's Ordination Sermon, pub⯑liſhed in 1788; "Four Marks of Antichriſt, or a Supplement to the Warburtonian Lecture, an ano⯑nymous pamphlet; the Evidences of Chriſtianity, a tract, which has ſeen two editions; Silva Critica ſive in auctores ſacros profanoſque Commentarius Philo⯑logus, Part I. publiſhed in 1789, a work which was diſcontinued on the completion of five parts (each an octavo volume), the firſt three of which were printed at the Cambridge preſs; an Addreſs to the Inhabitants of Nottingham, relative to the Corpora⯑tion and Teſt Acts, which was reprinted by the Birmingham Diſſenters; a new Tranſlation of thoſe Parts only of the New Teſtament which are wrongly tranſlated in our common Verſion; Curſory Reflections, relative to the Teſt Laws; an Addreſs to Dr. Horſley, on occaſion of a pamphlet relating to the Liturgy of the Church of England, aſcri⯑bed to him; a New Tranſlation of the New Teſ⯑tament, publiſhed in 1791, in three octavo vo⯑lumes, and ſince that time reprinted in two vo⯑lumes; an Enquiry into the Expediency and Pro⯑priety of Public or Social Worſhip, a pamphlet, [351] which has ſeen three editions; Memoirs of the firſt thirty-ſix Years of his own Life, in an octavo vo⯑lume; Short Strictures on Dr. Prieſtley's Letters to a Young Man, concerning Mr. Wakefield's Trea⯑tiſe on Public Worſhip; a General Reply to the Arguments againſt the Enquiry into Public Wor⯑ſhip; the Spirit of Chriſtianity compared with the Spirit of the Times, a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1794; Anſwers to both Parts of Paine's Age of Reaſon; Remarks on the General Orders of the Duke of York to his Army, on June 7th, 1794, reſpecting the Decree of the French Convention to give no quarter to the Britiſh and Hanoverians; Vol. I. (in octavo) of the Works of Alexander Pope, Eſq. with Notes, the commencement of a deſign which was afterward relinquiſhed to Dr. War⯑ton, and completed by Mr. Wakefield, only ſo far as by the publication of another octavo volume, conſiſting of Obſervations on the remaining Poems of Pope; a very elegant edition of Horace, in two duodecimo volumes; Tragoediarum Graecarum de'ec⯑tus, in two volumes, octavo; Poetical Tranſlations from the Ancients, in a duodecimo volume; a very beautiful edition of Bion and Moſchus, with Notes, in a duodecimo volume; a Reply to Burke's Let⯑ter to a Noble Lord; a very elegant edition of the Works of Virgil, in two duodecimo volumes; a new edition of Pope's Illiad and Odyſſey, with Notes, critical and illuſtrative, in eleven volumes, octavo; a Letter to Mr. Bryant, relative to his Diſ⯑ſertation [352] on the War of Troy; a Letter to Mr. Wilberforce on the Subject of his PRACTICAL VIEW; Lucretii Opera, innumeris mendis expurgata, perpetuis Commentariis illuſtrata, cum RICARDI BENTLEII notis non ante vulgatis, in three volumes, quarto; and In Euripidis Hecubam, Londini nuper publicatam (by Mr. Porſon) Diatribe extemporalis an octavo pamphlet.
It was the intention of Mr. Wakefield, had not the ſources of academical favour ben dried up, to have carried on his Silva Critica through the whole compaſs of ancient literature; uniting theological and claſſical learning, and illuſtrating the ſcriptures by light borrowed from the philology of Greece and Rome. His Tranſlation of the New Teſtament is a very valuable performance; his edition of Pope's Illiad and Odyſſey, a very complete and elegant publication; and his edition of Lucretius, upon the large paper, the handſomeſt book we almoſt ever recollect to have ſeen. He has alſo written, beſide the pieces already enumerated, a very maſterly Eſſay on the Origin of Alphabetical Characters, which was read to the Literary and Phi⯑loſophical Society of Mancheſter at two ſucceſſive meetings, was the more immediate occaſion of his being elected an honorary member of that Society, and has been inſerted in the New Annual Regiſter, and in the Scotch Encyclopaedia. It is likewiſe to be found, with additions and improvements, in the Memoirs of his Life. Mr. Wakefield is alſo an oc⯑caſional [353] contributor to the Monthly and Gentle⯑man's Magazines. To the former he, not long ago, ſent two Letters particularly remarkable, in which he endeavours to do away a prejudice of conſiderable ſtrength and ſtanding reſpecting the elegance of the ſtyle of Hume.
In contemplating Mr. Wakefield's General Cha⯑racter as an author, the firſt and higheſt commenda⯑tion is due to his remarkable induſtry. It is this active principle that has enabled him, with a re⯑pectable ſhare of talent, to ſerve the trueſt intereſts of uſeful letters, with far greater effect than has commonly fallen to the lot of firſt-rate genius. His knowledge of Greek and Roman authors is ex⯑tenſive and accurate; and as a critic he poſſeſſes a ſpirit moſt penetrating and ardent. As an emen⯑dator he is frequently ingenious, but, certainly, for the greater part, too bold. His Latin ſtyle as he himſelf acknowledges, ſavours more of the ex⯑preſſive energy of Quintilian, than of the magnifi⯑cent volubility of Cicero. It is not a little ſurpri⯑ſing, and particularly to be lamented for the ſake of Mr. Wakefield's credit, that, with ſuch peculiar faculties for the enjoyment of claſſical ſtudies, he ſhould ever have forſaken that flowery path to ſhare the grovelling walks of writers, infinitely his inferiors; relinquiſhing the loftieſt diſtinctions of literary character, for a pitiful diſplay of party-ſpi⯑rit, or peculiarity of opinion. Some of his con⯑troverſial writings, theological as well as political, [354] are peculiarly indecent for their violence and illi⯑berality; and his diſpoſition appears, upon theſe occaſions, to ſuch diſadvantage that his unpopula⯑rity ſeems a neceſſary conſequence. His Engliſh ſtyle is always manly and graceful, and, ſometimes, peculiarly elegant and energetic: moſt readers will, however, object to his ſuperabundant uſe of claſſical quotations. His numerous writings have for the greater part experienced an indifferent re⯑ception, and ſome of them, particuliarly the earlier ones, have been ſeverely handled by the critics of their day.
Author of a Letter to Thomas Paine, in Reply to his DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ENGLISH SYS⯑TEM OF FINANCE; and of "Obſervations on the Credit and Finances of Great Britain," in Reply to Lord Lauderdale and Mr. Morgan. Both of theſe are ſenſible pamphlets.
This lady has written ſeveral books, deſigned chiefly for juvenile readers, viz, "Mental Improve⯑ment," Juvenile Anecdotes, "Leiſure Hours," and an Introduction to Botany. They diſcover ingenuity and judgement.
Better known by his aſſumed name, PETER PINDAR. This comical genius is deſcended from, a reſpectable family in Devonſhire, was bred to the ſtudy of phyſic, and practiſed for ſome time, with ſucceſs, in the county of Cornwall. He af⯑terward followed the fortunes of his friend, the late Sir William Trelawney to Jamaica, and became Phyſician General to the Iſland. It is ſaid that during his reſidence there, he was induced, upon a proſpect of important preferment, to aſſume the clerical function; but, that being diſappointed in his views, he reſigned that office before his return, to England, and has never ſince reſumed it. On his arrival here he purſued his original profeſſion, for ſeveral years, but, at laſt relinquiſhed it entirely. It is to be recorded to the credit of Dr. Wal⯑cot's benevolence as well as diſcernment, that the art of painting is indebted to him for Mr. Opie. That artiſt was found by him in the Mines of Corn⯑wall, where his genius firſt diſcovered itſelf to the Doctor, and he was encouraged by him to truſt for his future fortune to the cultivation of his intel⯑lectual capability.
Of his celebrated ſatirical pieces, the firſt was a poetical Epiſtle to the Reviewers, which appeared in the year 1778, and was followed by the firſt ſet [356] of Lyric Odes to the Royal Academicians, i [...] 1782. Theſe, and his numerous ſubſequent pro⯑ductions were originally publiſhed ſeparately in quarto pamphlets, and were, not long ago, pub⯑liſhed in collection, in four octavo volumes, and likewiſe in three duodecimo volumes; after ſeveral ſurreptitious collections of them, printed in Ireland. Few, indeed, have been the writings which have ſuc⯑ceeded in commanding ſo large a ſhare of attention as the detached pieces of Mr. Peter Pindar! Such was the demand for them, that a certain number of the London bookſellers agreed to allow him two hundred pounds per annum, for the excluſive privilege of ſel⯑ling his works! They are characteriſed by a ſpecies of humour, which, though not elegant and taſteful, is not deſtitute of nature, and is irreſiſtible in its power of exciting laughter. We conſider BOZZY AND PIOZZI, THE LOUSIAD, and PINDARIANA as the beſt among them; but have never contem⯑plated the character of this writer without a mix⯑ture of ſurprize and concern, that ſuch talents and attainments as his writings diſcover him to poſſeſs, ſhould never have been applied to better purpoſes than to a Iudicrous diſplay of his contempt of all decent reſpect, and to the compoſition of ſuch trifles, as muſt inevitably periſh with the age in which they were written.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1779, an octavo pamphlet, conſiſting of curious Deſcriptions and Figures of Petrefactions, found in the Quarries, Gravel-pits, &c. near Bath. Since that time he has undertaken a Delineation of the Britiſh Plants, a deſign which was laid aſide after the appearance of a few numbers; and has alſo publiſhed an indifferent Synopſis of Britiſh Birds, in two volumes, quarto.
Maſter of the Royal Mathematical School in Chriſt's Hoſpital, and a very diſtinguiſhed Ma⯑thematician. He publiſhed, in 1762, an Ode to the Rt. Hon. William Pitt. Four years after this he commenced correſpondent with the Ladies Di⯑ary, and anſwered and propoſed ſeveral of the ma⯑thematical Queſtions. In the years 1772—1775, Mr. Wales made voyages toward the South Pole and round the World, in his Majeſty's ſhips, the Reſolution and Adventure; and, in 1777, he pub⯑liſhed, in aſſociation with Mr. William Bayly, his companion, "The original Aſtronomical Obſerva⯑tions," made in the courſe of the voyages, in a quarto volume. The following year drew from him [358] a ſevere pamphlet, conſiſting of Remarks on the Account which Mr. Forſter had thought proper to give of Captain Cook's Voyage, during the above⯑mentioned years. Since that time he has written an ingenious Enquiry in the Population of England and Wales, a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1781; and a uſeful tract on the Method of finding the Longitude at Sea by Time-keepers, publiſhed in 1794. Mr. Wales is alſo the author of one of the Diſſertations on the Achronical Riſing of the Pleiades, added to Dr. Vincent's VOYAGE OF NEARCHUS.
Miniſter of a congregation of proteſtant diſſen⯑ters in Nottingham, and a reſpectable Mathemati⯑cian, but a more diſtinguiſhed Democrat. He was, we believe, one of the tutors of the diſſenting aca⯑demy at Warrington in Lancaſhire. In the year 1777, he publiſhed a quarto volume on the Doc⯑trine of the Sphere, a treatiſe, uniformly geometri⯑cal; and alſo a Faſt Sermon preached at Notting⯑ham, at the end of the preceding year. Mr. Walker has, ſince that time, printed three more ſingle Sermons; a Speech delivered at the Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Nottingham, in 1780; a collection of Sermons on various Sub⯑jects, in two volumes, octavo, publiſhed in 1790; "The Diſſenter's Plea," a pamphlet on the Teſt [359] Laws, which was complimented by THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE; and a Treatiſe on the Conic Sec⯑tions, in a quarto volume.
Phyſician in Ordinary to the City of London Lying-in Hoſpital. This gentleman was formerly a diſſenting miniſter at Enfield. He publiſhed a Charity Sermon in the year 1790; and, ſix years afterward, an excellent Treatiſe on Nervous Diſ⯑eaſes, in an octavo volume.
Senior Miniſter of Canongate, Edinburgh. He publiſhed, in 1791, a volume of ſenſible Sermons, and has ſince that time printed a Faſt Sermon, and a well-written pamphlet on the National Character of the Dutch.
A Verbal Critic of conſiderable merit. He is a Roman Catholic, and was formerly a teacher of the art of ſpeaking. In 1774, he publiſhed a pamphlet, entitled, "A general Idea of a Pro⯑nouncing [360] Dictionary of the Engliſh Language on a Plan entirely new." Since that time he has produced a Dictionary of the Engliſh Language, in an octavo volume; the Child's Directory, in duo⯑decimo; Exerciſes for Improvement in Elocution, in duodecimo; Elements of Elocution, in two vo⯑lumes, octavo; Hints for improving the Art of Reading, a pamphlet; a Rhetorical Grammar, in duodecimo; Engliſh Claſſics abridged, in duode⯑cimo; the Melody of Speaking delineated, an oc⯑tavo pamphlet; the Academic Speaker, in duode⯑cimo; and a Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, in a quarto volume, which has reached a ſecond edition.
Author of two novels of conſiderable merit, viz. the Houſe of Tynian, and Theodore Cyphon. He has alſo, we believe, publiſhed ſome poeti⯑cal pieces.
A petits-maitres Philoſopher, who gives expe⯑rimental Lectures in the metropolis, which are found very entertaining and inſtructive by people of faſhion. He has publiſhed an Analyſis of his [361] Lectures; "Ideas ſuggeſted on the Spot in a Tour of Italy; an Excurſion through Flanders, &c. in an octavo volume; and an octavo volume of Remarks made in a Tour from London to the Lakes of Weſtmoreland and Cumberland, origi⯑nally publiſhed in the Whitehall Evening Poſt.
Author of "Elements of Geography and of Natural and Civil Hiſtory," in an octavo volume, which has reached a ſecond edition; and alſo of a Univerſal Gazetteer, in an octavo volume.
A lady of the kingdom of Scotland, daughter to Sir William Maxwell, Bart. and ſiſter to Her Grace the Dutcheſs of Gordon. She married Sir James Wallace, Knt. an officer in the navy, from whom ſhe has been for ſome years divorced. Her Ladyſhip's firſt literary production was "Diamond cut Diamond," a comedy, in two acts, tranſlated from the French of Guerre ouverte, ou Ruſe contre Ruſe, by Dumaniant, which was alſo tranſlated about the ſame time (1787) by Mrs. Inchbald, under the title, the Midnight Hour. This was ſoon afterward followed by "A Letter to a Friend, [362] with a Poem called the Ghoſt of Werter," a pam⯑phlet containing ſome ſevere Strictures on WER⯑TER, a novel. In 1788, Lady Wallace brought out at Covent Garden, "The Ton," a comedy, which was ſoon withdrawn, and afterward printed; and has, ſince that time, publiſhed a Letter to her Son in the Eaſt Indies; "The Conduct of the King of Pruſſia and General Dumourier inveſti⯑gated," a pamphlet, printed in 1793; a Supple⯑ment to this Pamphlet; the Whim, a comedy, or⯑dered to be acted for the benefit of the Hoſpital and Poor of the Iſle of Thanet, but refuſed the royal licence; and a Sermon addreſſed to the People, printed in 1796. Her Ladyſhip is a ſenſi⯑ble, but not a very correct writer.
Lecturer on the Theory and Practice of Phyſic in the Metropolis. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1778, an Eſſay on the evil Conſequences attending injudicious Bleeding in Pregnancy; and has, ſince that time, publiſhed Noſologia Methodica Oculorum, ſelected from the Latin of Francis Boſſier de Sau⯑vages, an octavo volume; an Oration delivered in 1790, before the Medical Society; the third edi⯑tion with conſiderable additions of Dr. Motherby's Medical Dictionary; and "The Art of Preventing Diſeaſes and Reſtoring Health," an octavo volume. [363] Dr. Wallis has alſo publiſhed a complete edition of Dr. Sydenham's Works.
Maſter of Alfred-houſe Academy, Camberwell. He publiſhed, in 1780, a French Grammar, in duo⯑decimo; and has produced, ſince that time, a Claſſical Vocabulary, French and Engliſh; Recueil choiſi de Traits Hiſtoriques et de Contes Moraux, French and Engliſh; and Petite Encyclopedie des jeunes Gens. Some of theſe pieces have been parti⯑cularly approved.
A Wiltſhire Clothier. He publiſhed, in 1796, in an octavo volume, a Journal of an Excurſion to the United States of North America, in the Sum⯑mer of 1794. This performance, though not diſ⯑tinguiſhed for its elegance, abounds in information.
Of the Inner Temple. Barriſter at Law. Au⯑thor of "An Enquiry into the Foundation and Hiſtory of the Law of Nations in Europe," from [364] the time of the Greeks and Romans to the age of Grotius, in two volumes, octavo, publiſhed in 1795, a work of very diſtinguiſhed merit.
A Surgeon of eminence, and of particular ſkill in diſorders of the Eye. He publiſhed, in 1780, Remarks on the Ophthalmy, Pſorophthalmy, and Purulent Eye, in an octavo pamphlet, which has reached a third edition. Mr. Ware has alſo tranſlated, from the French, de Wenzel's Treatiſe on the Cataract; and publiſhed a pamphlet of Chirurgical Obſervations, relative to the Epiphora, or Watery Eye; and another on the Cauſes which have, moſt commonly, prevented Succeſs in the Operation of Extracting the Cataract.
Lucaſian Profeſſor of Mathematics in the Uni⯑verſity of Cambridge, and a gentleman of very ſingular mathematical talents, eſpecially for the ab⯑ſtruſer analytical inveſtigations. He took his de⯑gree of B. A. with the greateſt diſtinction in the year 1757, and, while yet a Batchelor of Arts, publiſhed the firſt edition of his Meditationes Alge⯑braicae, a quarto volume, which has, ſince that [365] time, been twice reprinted. Dr. Waring has alſo publiſhed Proprietates Algebraicarum Curvarum; Ex⯑cerpta Mathematica; Miſcellanea Analytica; and Me⯑ditationes Analyticae; each a quarto volume. Theſe productions have been read by very few, underſtood by ſtill fewer, and, perhaps, never regularly gone through by any man except their author. The Doctor has held the above Profeſſorſhip for nearly forty years. He is one of the ſtrangeſt compounds of vanity and modeſty which▪ the human character exhibits. The former is, however, his predomi⯑nant feature; and, among other foibles, he is given to lament that Newton was his predeceſſor in ex⯑iſtence, anticipating thoſe diſcoveries in the laws of the univerſe, which, otherwiſe, a WARING had un⯑folded!!!!!!!!!
Curate of St. James' Pariſh, Bath, and late of St. Mary Hall, Oxford. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1789, a duodecimo volume, entitled, "A Com⯑panion in a Tour round Lymington;" and has, ſince that time, produced "Hampſhire, extracted from Domeſday-book," in a quarto volume; Topo⯑graphical Remarks relating to the South-Weſtern Parts of Hampſhire, in two volumes, octavo; the Hiſtory of the Iſle of Wight, in an octavo volume; a ſingle Sermon; and an Illuſtration of the Roman [366] Antiquities preſerved in the City of Bath, in a quarto volume. We have underſtood that Mr. Warner, ſome years ago, engaged with ſeveral gentlemen in the deſign of publiſhing the whole of Domeſday-book, on a plan ſimilar to his extract of Hampſhire. He is a ſenſible and entertaining writer.
Chaplain to the Earl of Beſborough, and author of an agreeable Hiſtory of Wales, which was firſt publiſhed in a quarto volume, in 1786, and has ſince been reprinted in two volumes, octavo.
Warden of Wincheſter College, and brother to the late celebrated poet laureat. A literary veteran of the greateſt diſtinction. We believe the earlieſt of his publications was an Ode on reading Weſt's Pindar, which appeared in 1749, and has been fol⯑lowed by ſome other ſhort poetical pieces, among which is the Enthuſiaſt, or Lover of Nature. A year or two after the above date, he firſt publiſhed, in four volumes, octavo, the edition of Virgil, com⯑monly known by the name of WARTON's AND PITT's VIRGIL; adding to Virgil's original text [367] and Mr. Pitt's tranſlation of the Aeneid, a new tranſlation of the Eclogues and Georgics with Notes on the whole by himſelf, and diſſertations Eſ⯑ſays &c. by himſelf and others. This edition of Virgil has been reprinted in four duodecimo vo⯑lumes, as well as in octavo; and bears a very re⯑ſpectable eſtimation among learned men. With the merit of Mr. Pitt's Verſion of the Aeneid the world is well acquainted. Of Dr. Warton's Eclo⯑gues and Georgics it may be ſaid, that they con⯑vey the ſenſe of their originals with greater exact⯑neſs and perſpicuity than any other tranſlation we have; that their veſification is eaſy and harmonious and their ſtyle correct and pure: yet, if read for themſelves, they are inferior as pleaſing poems to the ſimilar performances of Dryden. About the ſame time with this publication, appeared alſo the firſt volume (in octavo) of Dr. Warton's cele⯑brated Eſſay on the Genius and Writings of Pope. It was publiſhed anonymouſly, and the ſecond vo⯑lume did not make its appearance till 1782, though part of it was printed nearly twenty years before that time. This work, though not always in harmony with later opinions, is abundantly gratifying on ac⯑count of its learning, information, and juſt taſte. In 1797, Dr. Warton committed to the public the labour, as it is ſaid, of ſixteen years, in his long looked-for Edition of the Works of Pope, printed in in nine octavo volumes. The expectation which this work had excited in the literary world, was, in [368] ſome meaſure, diſappointed on its appearance. It is one of the handſomeſt books which the modern elegance of typography has produced; but it is deformed by marks of haſte, unpardonable in ſuch an undertaking, and the commentary is little more than a ſelection of the beſt of Warburton's notes, combined with the correſponding parts of the edi⯑tor's before-mentioned ESSAY. Yet, though not ſo excellent a work of the kind as might be wiſhed for, it is certainly the beſt edition of Pope we have!
Author of "An Eſſay toward the further Elu⯑cidation of the Law of Deſcents," publiſhed in an octavo pamphlet, in 1793: an Enquiry into the Title and Powers of his Majeſty as Guardian of the Dutchy of Cornwall, during the late Minority of its Duke, a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1795; and "Reflections on Government," a pamphlet, pub⯑liſhed in the following year. Mr. Watkins alſo edited the fourth edition of Lord Chief Baron Gil⯑bert's LAW OF TENURES, in a royal octavo vo⯑lume. He is a ſenſible and a well-read writer.
This gentleman publiſhed, in 1792, two oc⯑tavo volumes of highly entertaining and well-writ⯑ten Travels through Swiſſerland, Italy, Sicily, and the Greek Iſlands, to Conſtantinople, made in the years 1787, 1788, and 1789. Theſe volumes ſoon reached a ſecond edition.
Lord Biſhop of Landaff, Archdeacon of Ely, Rector of Carſtil in Leiceſterſhire, and Regius Pro⯑feſſor of Divinity in the Univerſity of Cambridge. A prelate diſtinguiſhed for his various and extenſive learning. His Lordſhip was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, was admitted to the degree of B. A. with diſtinguiſhed credit, in the year 1759, afterward became Prefeſſor of Chemiſtry in the Univerſity, and was elected to his preſent Pro⯑feſſorſhip in 1771. During a reſidence of more than thirty years, he remained the glory of his Uni⯑verſity; at one time, by the ingenuity of his che⯑mical reſearches; at another, as the pride of her divinity-chair. Of his Lordſhip's publications, the firſt was Inſtitutiones Metallurgicae, a tract, printed [370] at Cambridge, in 1768, and intended as a text⯑book for that part of his chemical lectures, which explained the properties of metallic ſubſtances. He wrote ſix more chemical tracts during his reſi⯑dence in the Univerſity, the greater part of which appeared in the Philoſophical Tranſactions; and they were all afterward reprinted in the fifth volume of his Chemical Eſſays. His Lordſhip next publiſhed an Aſſize Sermon, preached at Cambridge, in 1769: which was followed by two Sermons preached at the ſame place, in the year 1776, the publica⯑tion of which firſt made him known beyond the precincts of the Univerſity; one of them, entitled, "The Principles of the Revolution vindicated," de⯑livered on the 29th of May; the other on the An⯑niverſary of his Majeſty's Acceſſion in that year. Theſe diſcourſes, according to the ſentiments of their reſpective readers, were ſubjects of high commendation on one ſide, and of ſevere diſappro⯑bation on the other. In the ſame year Dr. Watſon alſo publiſhed, "An Apology for Chriſtianity." a duodecimo volume, conſiſting of a ſeries of letters to Mr. Gibbon; which, of all the anſwers made to the attacks of that gentleman, was the moſt libe⯑ral, the moſt elegant, and, perhaps, the moſt for⯑cible. It is ſeldom, indeed, that controverſy has been conducted with ſo much becoming urbanity, and, at the ſame time, with ſo much ſpirit, as upon this occaſion. In 1780, Dr. Watſon pub⯑liſhed a Sermon, preached before the Univerſity [371] on the General Faſt, Feb. 4th, which was greatly admired; and alſo a Diſcourſe delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Ely. The year following produced the two firſt volumes (in duo⯑decimo) of thoſe "Chemical Eſſays" which have been ſo highly approved, and to which three more volumes were afterward added. They were writ⯑ten, not with a view of giving a Syſtem of Che⯑miſtry to the world, but to convey, in a popular manner, a general kind of knowledge to perſons not much verſed in chemical enquiries.
Having been tutor to the late Duke of Rutland, while His Grace reſided at Cambridge, Dr. Watſon was appointed, through the intereſt of the Rut⯑land family, under the adminiſtration of the Mar⯑quis of Lanſdown, in 1782, to the Biſhopric of Landaff. Immediately upon his promotion, his Lordſhip publiſhed a Letter to the (late) Arch⯑biſhop of Canterbury, recommending a new diſpo⯑ſition of the church revenues, by which the Bi⯑ſhoprics ſhould be rendered equal to each other in value, and the ſmaller livings be ſo far increaſed in income, by a proportional deduction from the richer endowments, as to render them a decent competency. This letter produced ſeveral pam⯑phlets at the preſs, among which was a Letter to the Biſhop from Mr. Richard Cumberland (vide that name). Dr. Watſon's ſubſequent publica⯑tions have been, beſide a few occaſionial ſingle Ser⯑mons, a valuable Collection of Theological Tracts, [372] in ſix large octavo volumes, publiſhed in 1785; an octavo volume of Sermons and Tracts, publiſhed in 1788, and conſiſting chiefly of his ſmaller pieces which had been publiſhed ſeparately before that time, as already enumerated; three Charges deli⯑vered to the Clergy of the Dioceſe of Landaff; an Addreſs to young Perſons after Confirmation, a pamphlet, which had been annexed to the firſt of his Charges; Conſiderations on the Expediency of Reviſing the Liturgy and Articles of the Church of England, a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1790; and "An Apology for the Bible," in anſwer to Paine's AGE OF REASON, Part II. Among theſe, his Lord⯑ſhip's Sermon for the Weſtminſter Diſpenſary, preached in 1785, and publiſhed with an excel⯑lent Appendix, in 1793; as well as his moſt ſeaſon⯑able, ſtrong, judicious, and beautiful APOLOGY for the Bible, are peculiarly entitled to commendation.
As a writer, Dr. Watſon has united with almoſt unexampled grace, the knowledge of a ſcholar with the liberality of a gentleman, the warm piety of a true chriſtian, and the open manlineſs of a well-intending character. It has been ſaid, perhaps, with truth, that he is not a ſtranger to the pride of rank, that he is not deaf to the whiſpers of am⯑bition, and that he feels with anguiſh the mortifi⯑cation of diſappointment: he has, moreover, ren⯑dered himſelf not a little conſpicuous by his oppo⯑ſition to the meaſures of adminiſtration. Yet, whatever delinquencies his detractors may have [373] diſcovered, none can, with truth, deny that his de⯑portment, in the courſe of a long, an active, and a conſpicuous life, has been marked by the charac⯑teriſtics of a very ſuperior mind.
A writer of diſtinguiſhed taſte and ingenuity. He publiſhed, in 1762, Remarks on the Beauties of Poetry, in an octavo pamphlet; and has, ſince that time, written an Enquiry into the Beauties of Painting; Obſervations on the Correſpondence be⯑tween Poetry and Muſic; "Some Reaſons for thinking that the Greek Language was borrowed from the Chineſe;" "Literary Amuſements," in verſe and proſe, a ſmall octavo volume; and Selec⯑tions from M. Pauw, with Additions, an octavo volume.
Of Edinburgh. Compiler of Medicinae Prax⯑eos Syſtema, ex Academiae Edinburgenae Diſputationi⯑bus Inauguralibus praecipue depromptum, in three oc⯑tavo volumes, of which the two firſt were publiſhed in 1780, and the third in the following year. Dr. Webſter alſo publiſhed, in 1793, "Facts, tending to ſhow the Connection of the Stomach with Life, [374] Diſeaſe, and Recovery," a pamphlet, intended as part of heads of lectures on materia medica: the farther application of the doctrine to practice has been promiſed the Public.
A German divine of diſtinguiſhed ability: formerly Miniſter of the German Chapel on Lud⯑gate Hill, and, for nearly thirty years, a reſident of the metropolis. In the year 1775, he publiſhed a German Grammar, which was well received, and republiſhed in an improved ſtate, in 1790. Ha⯑ving met with encouragement in a ſmall treatiſe upon England, which he wrote with a view to the information of his own countrymen, he, ſome years afterward, produced, in 1787, a more extenſive work on that ſubject, in three duodecimo volumes, written in the German language. Of this he pub⯑liſhed a Tranſlation in our language, in the year 1791, in two octavo volumes, under the title, "A View of England toward the Cloſe of the eighteenth Century." This work, written with a philoſophic ſpirit, and abounding in ſenſible remarks, is highly entertaining.
Of the Inner Temple. Barriſter at Law. This gentleman is publiſhing a Complete Syſtem of Pleading, in royal octavo, of which two volumes have made their appearance; and has alſo written, "The Action of Aſſumpſit on Bills of Exchange," &c. &c.
The wife of a Northamptonſhire farmer, and a very reſpectable character in the literary, as well as in the moral world. She publiſhed, in 1786, "Miſcellaneous Poetry," in a quarto pamphlet; and, in 1791, "Miſcellaneous Poems and a Tra⯑gedy," in an octavo volume by ſubſcription. Her poetry is natural, ſimple, and pleaſing.
Rector of Little Hempſton: formerly Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, and Rector of Mamhead in Devonſhire. A diſtinguiſhed Claſſical Scholar, ſkilled in various languages. He publiſhed, in 1784, Hermeſianax, ſive Conjecturae in Athenaeum, &c. [376] in an octavo volume, a work which has not been thought peculiarly creditable to his talents. Since that time he has publiſhed a ſingle Sermon; "An Attempt to tranſlate and explain the Diffe⯑rent Paſſages in the Song of Deborah;" and an ele⯑gant Tranſlation into Greek Verſe, of Gray's Elegy.
This gentleman prefixed his name, in 1794, to Edwy and Edilda, a poetical tale, which he had publiſhed anonymouſly, in 1779. He has alſo written, Verſes addreſſed to Mrs. Siddons; Verſes vindicating his friend, Miſs Seward, from the ma⯑lignity of the Reviewers; Mont Blanc, a poem; and a Collection of Poems and Tranſlations, in an octavo volume. His poetry is not of the firſt order.
Rector of Ruan Lanyhorne, in the County of Cornwall, and formerly Fellow of Corpus Chriſti College, Oxford. A very ingenious, learned, and energetic writer. His firſt publication was a Hiſ⯑tory of Mancheſter, in two volumes, quarto, the firſt of which appeared in 1771. It is writen upon a very elaborate plan, but has obtained many ad⯑mirers, both as a work of ingenuity and acuteneſs, [377] and of elegance and imagination. In 1772, Mr. Whitaker publiſhed "The genuine Hiſtory of the Britons aſſerted," an octavo volume, in refutation of Macpherſon's INTRODUCTION TO THE HIS⯑TORY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND; and in which he diſplayed an evident ſuperiority over his adverſary. His next publication was a ſmall octavo volume of Sermons upon Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell, which was printed in 1783, and has been generally thought to have added little to his reputation as an author. This was followed in 1787, by his three octavo volumes, entitled, "Mary Queen of Scots vindicated," which cloſed the controverſy reſpecting that Princeſs, by a vindi⯑cation of her innocence. Although Mr. Whitaker had been preceded on the ſame ſide of the queſ⯑tion, by the reſearches of Mr. Goodal, the acute⯑neſs of Mr. Tytler, and, above all, by the genius of Dr. Gilbert Stuart, he found means to diſcover ſome new materials for the defence of his heroine. The matter, indeed, of this publication is excellent throughout, but the manner is often highly repre⯑henſible. The ſubſequent productions of Mr. Whit⯑aker have been, a Review of Mr. Gibbon's Hiſtory, Vols. IV. V. and VI. which had originally ap⯑peared in the Engliſh Review; "The Origin of Arianiſm diſcloſed," a large controverſial tract in which there is an uncommon diſplay of learning and judgement; "The Courſe of Hannibal over the Alps aſcertained," a very curious inveſtigation, in [378] two octavo volumes; and "The real Origin of Go⯑vernment," a very ſingular pamphlet. Mr. Whit⯑aker was alſo a very material contributor to the re⯑putation which the Engliſh Review could, at one time, boaſt; and has written ſome Poems in the Collection publiſhed by Gentlemen of Devonſhire and Cornwall. His vices as a writer are, a general inequality, and an occaſional appearance of exceſ⯑ſſive affectation, in his ſtyle; too ſtrong a propen⯑ſity to conjectural reaſoning; and, ſometimes, too apparent a ſelf-ſatisfaction in his own performances. For theſe we are, however, compenſated by his many virtues.
Rector of St. Mildred's and All Saints, Canter⯑bury; and formerly Rector of St. John's, Clerkenwell. This gentleman's firſt publication was a Faſt Sermon, in 1782. Since that time he has publiſhed a few more occaſional ſingle Sermons; a Diſſertation on the Prophecies relating to the final Reſtoration of the Jews; four Dialogues on the Trinity; three theological Tracts, annexed to a Sermon; a vo⯑lume of Sermons on Education; ſix Sermons, in an octavo pamphlet; and a View of the Prophecies relating to the Times of the Gentiles, in a duo⯑decimo volume, chiefly in refutation of Mr. Gib⯑bon's attack on Chriſtianity. Mr. Whitaker is a ſenſible and a judicious writer.
Archbiſhop Laud's Profeſſor of Arabic in the Univerſity of Oxford, and Fellow of Wadham College. A gentleman of very diſtinguiſhed ta⯑lents and attainments. His firſt publication was, De Utilitate Linguae Arabicae in Studiis Theologicis, an oration delivered in 1775, on his appointment to his Profeſſorſhip, and publiſhed the year following. He next printed a Sermon, recommending a Revi⯑ſal of the Engliſh Tranſlation of the Old Teſtament, preached before the Univerſity in 1778; which was ſoon afterward followed by an edition of the Sy⯑riac Philoxenian Verſion of the four Goſpels, in a quarto volume, with a Latin Tranſlation, by him⯑ſelf. In 1780, Dr. White preſented the Public with "A Specimen of the Civil and Military Inſti⯑tutes of Timour, or Tamerlane," a work, written originally by that celebrated conqueror in the Mo⯑gul Language, afterward tranſlated into Perſian, and rendered from the Perſian into Engliſh, by the Doctor, from a MS. in the poſſeſſion of Dr. Wil⯑liam Hunter. This quarto pamphlet was followed, three years afterward, by a quarto volume of Inſti⯑tutes, Political and Military, written originally in the Mogul Language, by the Great Timour, tran⯑ſlated from the Perſian by Major Davy, and pub⯑liſhed with the Perſian tranſlation, a preface, in⯑dexes, [380] notes, &c. by Dr. White. His celebrated volume of Sermons, preached at the Bampton Lec⯑ture made its firſt appearance in 1784, the year in which they were delivered. Theſe diſcourſes, con⯑taining a view of Chriſtianity and Mahometaniſm in their hiſtory, their evidence and their effects, Have obtained the moſt unbounded applauſes of the lite⯑rary world for their learning, their ſtrength, and their beauty of compoſition: in point of eloquence and energy of ſtyle, we know of no happier ſpeci⯑mens in our language, It afterward appeared that theſe Sermons owed much of their excellence to the aſſiſtance given in their compoſition, by the late Rev. Mr. Samuel Badcock. Dr. White was openly attacked with a charge to this purpoſe, by Dr. Gabriel of the Octagon Chapel, Bath; and a literary controverſy enſued which produced ſeveral pamphlets at the preſs. Dr. White was, at length, induced to publiſh a ſtatement of the caſe, by which it appeared that literary and pecuniary obli⯑gations had reciprocally ſubſiſted between Mr. Badcock and himſelf; and that the Sermons had received additional brilliancy from the maſterly pen of Dr. Parr. It is ſaid that Dr. White has been, for ſome time, engaged in writing a Hiſtory of Egypt.
Author of Conway Caſtle, Earl Strongbow, the Adventures of John of Gaunt, the Adventures of King Richard Coeur de Lion, and ſome other whimſical pieces.
Author of a Treatiſe on the Uſe and Abuſe of Sea-water; Obſervations on Fevers; an octavo vo⯑lume on Surgery; an Analyſis, of the New London Pharmacopaeia; and a Summary of the Pneuma⯑to-chemical Theory. He is eſteemed a judicious writer on theſe ſubjects.
A Phyſician who was formerly a quaker, and afterward joined Mr. Weſley's connection, and be⯑came one of the ſtated preachers at his chapels. He has written an Eſſay on Liberty and Neceſſity; and was one of the firſt of thoſe who undertook to refute the Doctrines contained in Dr. Prieſtley's Diſquiſitions on Matter and Spirit, publiſhing, in 1778, a pamphlet, entitled, "Materialiſm philoſo⯑phically [382] examined." Dr. Whitehead has alſo publiſhed a Report of a new Method of Treating the P [...]erperal Fever; the Sermon which he preach⯑ed at the Funeral of Mr. John Weſley; a well written Life of Mr. John Weſley, in two volumes, octavo; and "Some Account of the Life of the Rev. Charles Weſley, a pamphlet, extracted from the last-mentioned work.
Of St. John's College, Cambridge. This gen⯑tleman publiſhed an octavo volume of Poems, in 1787; and has, ſince that time, written an Elegiac Ode to the Memory of Sir Joſhua Reynolds; and a quarto pamphlet of Odes, moral and deſcriptive. Theſe performances poſſeſs conſiderable poetical merit.
Head-maſter of the Free Grammar School in Leeds, and Vicar of Laſtingham: formerly of Magdalen College, Cambridge. He has gained the Norriſian Prizes in the Univerſity, for ſeveral ſenſible theological Eſſays, which have been pub⯑liſhed according to the conditions of the inſtitution.
A diſtinguiſhed Britiſh Senator, celebrated for his exertions to procure the abolition of the Slave⯑trade. An elaborate and much-applauded Speech delivered by him, on this ſubject, in the Houſe of Commons, May 13th, 1789, has reached the preſs; and, in 1797, Mr. Wilberforce publiſhed an octavo volume, entitled, "A practical View of the pre⯑vailing Religious Syſtem of profeſſed Chriſtians, in the Higher and Middle Claſſes in this Country, con⯑traſted with real Chriſtianity." The favourable re⯑ception which this volume experienced on its firſt appearance, was, probably, owing to the celebrity of its author's name. It has received much ap⯑plauſe, as well as cenſure, according to the differ⯑ent characters of its readers; and, though un⯑doubtedly written with a very benevolent view, is, perhaps, juſtly amenable on the ſcore of repreſent⯑ing real Chriſtianity as rigid calviniſm. Mr. Wilber⯑force has alſo been the reputed author of the ſenſible little tract, entitled, "An Eſtimate of the Religion of the Faſhionable world;" but is ſaid to have himſelf aſſigned it to Mrs. Hannah More.
Of Gray's Inn. Author of "Political Facts," collected in a tour along the frontiers of France in 1793, a pamphlet; a Tranſlation of Mongail⯑lard's State of France hi May, 1794; and "The Wanderer," a collection of Anecdotes, &c. during two excurſions, in 1791 and 1793, in France, Ger⯑many, and Italy, in two duodecimo volumes: all of them very indifferent performances.
Patentee of the Theatres Royal, York and Hull; and a very celebrated Mimic. He publiſh⯑ed, in 1791, Memoirs of his own Life, in four du⯑odecimo volumes; and, in 1795, "The Wander⯑ing Patentee," a hiſtory of the Yorkſhire Theatre. Theſe volumes are well enough.
A native of Glamorganſhire. He was originally a diſſenting miniſter at Exeter and afterward preached for many years to a ſmall congregation at Highgate. Here he changed his principles, and, [385] being ſuſpected, relinquiſhed the miniſterial charge and adopted that of private tuition. While at Highgate, he preached a courſe of Sermons on Re⯑ligious Hypocriſy, which he publiſhed in two duo⯑decimo volumes. In 1770, he wrote a poignant Letter to Mr. Garrick, on his conduct and talents, as manager and performer; which was followed by polemical dialogues, entitled "The Philoſopher." When the Unitarian Clergy met at the Feathers Tavern to petition relief from ſubſcribing the Arti⯑cles, the able pen of Mr. Williams was ſolicited in their ſervice; he accordingly drew up ſome Eſſays on Public Worſhip, Projects of Reformation, &c. which were found to contain ſentiments of ſo DEISTICAL a complexion that he was, at once, for⯑ſaken by the people whom he had deſigned to ſerve. Theſe Eſſays he publiſhed, and afterward added to them an Appendix, principally levelled at the Diſſenters, upon whoſe conduct he was pe⯑culiarly ſevere. Mr. Williams now totally forſook the connection of the Diſſenters, and became an avowed advocate of deiſm, as well as of democracy. In 1774, the time of his eſtabliſhing a private ſe⯑minary at Chelſea, he publiſhed a Treatiſe on Edu⯑cation, in a duodecimo volume, which contains ſome uncommonly acute and judicious remarks on that ſubject, while it too fully diſcloſes the change in his principles with reſpect to revealed religion. Two years after this date, Mr. Williams opened a Chapel in Margaret Street, Cavendiſh Square, on [386] the univerſal principles of Natural Religion, a ſcheme to which he was inſtigated by Dr. Franklin. Dignified with the appellation, Prieſt of Nature, he officiated here for about four years, and thus finally terminated his exiſtence in a clerical capacity; hav⯑ing ſubſequently employed his talents, which are unqueſtionably great, chiefly in the compoſition of political and deiſtical writings. Beſide the works already mentioned, he has publiſhed a Sermon, preached at the opening of his Chapel in Margaret Street; a Liturgy for that Chapel; "The Na⯑ture and Extent of Intellectual Liberty," a pam⯑phlet; a Plan of Aſſociation on Conſtitutional Principles, a pamphlet written at the time of the riots in London; Letters on Political Liberty, oc⯑caſioned by the county meetings and aſſociations in 1782; Lectures on Religion and Morality, in two volumes, quarto; Lectures on Education, in three volumes, octavo; Lectures on Political Prin⯑ciples, in an octavo volume; and a Hiſtory of Monmouthſhire, in a quarto volume. Mr. Wil⯑liams is alſo underſtood to be the author of "Royal Recollections," a moſt indecent ſatire upon his Majeſty; "Leſſons to a young Prince;" "An Apology for profeſſing the Religion of Na⯑ture in the eighteenth Century;" and the Pam⯑phlets of Mr. Swainſon. For an account of his engagement reſpecting a Continuation of Hume's Hiſtory of England, we refer the reader to our memoir of Mr. Bowyer.
A fair Democrat of conſiderable ſprightlineſs and talent. She commenced author in 1782, by pub⯑liſhing, anonymouſly, "Edwin and Eltruda," a le⯑gendary tale, in verſe, which was edited by Dr. Kippis. This was followed by ſome other pretty poetical Pieces, which were reprinted in a Collec⯑tion, in two duodecimo volumes, publiſhed by ſubſcription, in 1786; among which the hiſtorical poem, entitled, "Peru," and the Fragment found in a dark paſſage of the Tower, have peculiar merit. In 1788, Miſs Williams publiſhed a Poem on the Slave-trade Bill; and, two years afterward, a well written novel, entitled, "Julia." She went to France, for the ſecond time, in the year 1791, and has, ſince then, reſided at Paris. In the year of her departure, ſhe publiſhed a Farewell to Eng⯑land, a poem; which has been followed by "Let⯑ters from France," relative to the Revolution, in two duodecimo volumes; Letters ſketching the Politics of France, from May 31ſt, 1793, to July 28th, 1794, in four duodecimo volumes; and a Tranſlation of Bernardin. St. Pierre's tale, Paul and Virginia, in a duodecimo volume, the amuſe⯑ment of her hours of confinement in Priſon at Paris, under the tyranny of Robeſpierre. Her LETTERS contain much information, but, too [388] plainly exhibit her want of ſenſibility, and her po⯑litical phrenzy. John Hurford Stone is ſaid to have contributed largely to the fourth volume.
Formerly a Diſſenting Miniſter at Sydenham. He has publiſhed an "Enquiry," intended to diſ⯑prove the authenticity of Chaps. I & II of St. Matthew's Goſpel; Thoughts on Subſcription to the thirty-nine Articles; a Concordance to the Greek Teſtament, it a quarto volume; ſome ſingle Sermons; and an Enquiry and Obſervations re⯑ſpecting the Diſcovery of America. Dr. Williams has been weak enough to enter the liſts with the learned and judicious Dr. Bell, Prebendary of Weſtminſter.
Alias ANTHONY PASQUIN. A ſcribbler of the loweſt claſs. Although deſtitute of every pretenſion to taſte, genius, or information, he has from time to time, obtruded a multiplicity of pompous traſh upon the Public, viz. the Children of Theſpis, the Brigh⯑ton Guide, the Pin Baſket the Cap, &c. too con⯑temptible to enumerate. In December, 1797, he had the impudence to bring an action againſt Mr. Faul⯑der, [389] Bookſeller in New Bond Street, as the pub⯑liſher of Mr. Gifford's poem, the Baviad; in one of the notes to which, that gentleman had pro⯑perly expreſſed his deteſtation of one ſo loſt to every ſenſe of decency and ſhame, whoſe acquintance is infa⯑my, and whoſe touch is poiſon. But Mr. Garrow, the counſel for the defendant, ſhewed that he had li⯑belled every body, from the royal family down al⯑moſt to the meaneſt of their ſubjects, and that his writings were ſo immoral and infamous that he had no right to come into a court of juſtice for da⯑mages: accordingly Lord Kenyon interpoſed, and the cauſe was ſtopped. The modeſt pretenſion, it ſeems, of this illiterate libeller is, that he will ca⯑luminate all the world, and go to law with whoever has the courage to cenſure or expoſe him for it!
A Diſſenting Miniſter at Birmingham. He has publiſhed "Antipaedobaptiſm Examined," in two volumes, duodecimo; and ſome ſingle Ser⯑mons. Dr. Williams is one of the conductors of the Evangelical Magazine.
Barriſter at law. This gentleman has publiſhed "Original Precedents in Conveyancing," in four volumes octavo; a Digeſt of the Statute Law, in two volumes, quarto; and "The whole Law rela⯑tive to the Duty and Office of a Juſtice of Peace," of which five octavo volumes have made their appearance.
Of Queen's College, Oxford; Prebendary of Lincoln, and Rector of Winwick, in Northamp⯑tonſhire. He has publiſhed "An Argument for the Chriſtian Religion," the ſubſtance of a courſe of Sermons preached at Boyle's Lecture, in an octavo volume; a pamphlet in Defence of the Church of England; and a volume of Bamp⯑ton Lecture Sermons of no very diſtinguiſhed merit.
Of Whitehaven. Author of a ſenſible octavo volume of Lectures on Civil and Religious Liberty, publiſhed in 1792. He has alſo publiſhed Religi⯑ous Correſpondence between himſelf and Mr. New⯑ton, Rector of St. Mary, Woolnoth.
WILSON, JASPER.—See Currie.
Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. This gentleman publiſhed, in 1797, an Illuſtration of the Method of explaining the New Teſtament by the early Opinions of the Jews and Chriſtians concerning Chriſt, in an octavo volume, a very ſenſible work.
A Diſſenting Miniſter. He was ſentenced to a four years confinement in Newgate, and to a fine of two hundred pounds, for ſeditious expreſ⯑ſions contained in two Sermons, preached at Ply⯑mouth, [392] in 1792. During his impriſonment he compiled an Historical, Geographical, &c. View of America, which was publiſhed in four octavo volumes, in 1795. He has alſo publiſhed a ſimilar View of the Chineſe Empire, in an octavo vo⯑lume; and is the editor of a new edition of Dr. Gill's Body of Divinity.
Rector of Brightwell in Berkſhire, and formerly Fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford. He pub⯑liſhed, in 1792, a well-executed Attempt at an im⯑proved Verſion of DANIEL, in a quarto volume; and has, ſince that time, publiſhed a volume of ſenſible Sermons, preached at the Bampton Lec⯑ture, in 1794.
A diſtinguiſhed Botaniſt of Birmingham. He has publiſhed an arrangement of Britiſh Plants, in four octavo volumes, the two firſt of which made their firſt appearance, in 1776; a pamphlet on the Scarlet Fever and Sore Throat; a Tranſlation of Bergman's Outlines of Mineralogy; and an Ac⯑count of the Fox-Glove, in an octavo volume.
Phyſician to the York County Hoſpital. He publiſhed, in 1775, an octavo volume of Obſerva⯑tions on the Abuſe of Medicine; and has, ſince that time, written Obſervations on Chronic Weak⯑neſs; a Treatiſe on the Aſthma; and a Treatiſe on the Errors and Defects of Medical Education.
Rector of the united Pariſhes, St. Vedaſt Foſ⯑ter, and St. Michael-le-Quern, London. This gen⯑tleman is the youngeſt ſon of the celebrated Wil⯑liam Wollaſton, who wrote THE RELIGION OF NATURE DELINEATED. He publiſhed, in 1772, an Addreſs to the Clergy, &c. on the Subject of Subſcription; ſince which time he has produced, Queries, relating to the Book of Common Prayer; a Specimen of a General Aſtronomical Catalogue, in a folio volume; Directions for making an uni⯑verſal Meridian Dial; and three Sermons.
Fellow and Tutor of St John's College, Cam⯑bridge. A gentleman of conſiderable Mathema⯑tical Attainments. He undertook, in 1795, to publiſh, in aſſociation with the Rev. Mr. Vince, "The Principles of Mathematics and Natural Philoſophy," in four octavo volumes, a work in⯑tended to compriſe the ſubſtance of the Lectures on theſe ſubjects which are uſually read in the Uni⯑verſity. The parts drawn up by Mr. Wood are the treatiſes on Algebra, Mechanics, and Optics, and the manner in they are executed (eſpecially the Algebra) does great credit to the care and ta⯑lents of their author: they are a moſt reſpectable ſpecimen of the elegant ſcience of the Cambridge ſchool, and leave him nothing to fear from a com⯑pariſon with his better-known coadjutor.
A Reporter of public Debates, highly cele⯑brated for his accuracy, and for a very remarkable tenaciouſneſs of Memory. Mr. Woodfall was, for ſome time, the editor of the Morning Chro⯑nicle, and afterward, relinquiſhing that concern, ſet on foot a paper which he called Woodfall's [395] Diary. He is now entirely engaged in making re⯑ports of Debates in the Senate, and at the Court of Eaſt India Directors. Not long ago he pub⯑liſhed a Parliamentary Remembrancer, in which the Debates of both Houſes are faithfully detailed.
Author of a uſeful and well-executed work, entitled, "Medical Botany," of which the firſt vo⯑lume (in quarto) was publiſhed in 1790, and which has been completed in two more volumes, and a ſupplementary volume. Dr. Woodville has alſo publiſhed Vol. I. (in octavo) of the Hiſtory of the Inoculation of the Small Pox in Great Bri⯑tain, a curious work to be completed in another volume.
A very popular Miniſter of the Preſbyterian perſuaſion. He has publiſhed various ſingle Ser⯑mons; a ſmall Eſſay on the Reſolution of plain Triangles; and is the editor of Crabb's Sermons, in two volumes, octavo.
This gentleman has publiſhed a Letter to the Jews; a duodecimo volume of Diſquiſitions on ſe⯑veral Subjects; Thoughts on the Manifeſto of the French, publiſhed in 1792; a Treatiſe on the Dorſel Spaſm (his own name for a Diſeaſe ſome⯑thing like Lumbago); a volume of Sermons; and an Addreſs to the Monthly Reviewers on their diſingenuous critique on his Sermons.
Of Trinity College, Cambridge. A gentleman of very diſtinguiſhed talents and attainments. He was, formerly a member of Magdalen College, and removed to Trinity Hall on the proſpect of ſucceeding to a very deſirable ſituation. After ac⯑quiring honours almoſt unprecedented in the Uni⯑verſity, he was rejected, when the looked-for va⯑cancy was made, on the moſt pitiful and ſhameful pretences, and, with a ſpirit becoming his high deſert and its ſcandalous requital, left the ſociety in the utmoſt deteſtation of its principles and con⯑duct. Mr. Wrangham has, ſince that time, ob⯑tained church preferment in the county of York⯑ſhire. His publications have been confined to [397] "Reform," a farce, modernized from Ariſtophanes by S. Foote, jun. in which Chremylus and Plutus are tranſlated by Thomas Paine and John Bull; and "The Reſtoration of the Jews," a Seatonian Prize poem. Both of theſe are highly creditable to his talents and his years.
A writer of very diſtinguiſhed merit, whoſe works have been peculiarly approved. He has been a member in ſeveral Parliaments, and va⯑cated his ſeat for the Borough of Wallingford in Berkſhire, in the year 1794. Mr. Wraxall's firſt publication was an octavo volume of "Curſory Remarks" in a Tour through ſome of the Northern Parts of Europe. This made its appearance in 1775; and was followed, two years afterward, by Memoirs of the Kings of France of the Race of Valois, in two octavo volumes, a work which was republiſhed, in 1785, with many additions, under the title, "The Hiſtory of France under the Kings of the Race of Valois." Mr. Wraxall has alſo publiſhed a Tour through the Weſtern, Southern, and Interior Provinces of France, in a duodecimo volume, originally annexed to the above-mentioned MEMOIRS; the Hiſtory of France from the Acceſſion of Henry III. to the Death of [398] Louis XIV, a very valuable work, of which three volumes (in quarto) are publiſhed, and three more promiſed; and "The Correſpondence be⯑tween a Traveller and a Miniſter of State in Oc⯑tober and November, 1792," a tranſlation of a pamphlet written in French by an Engliſhman. A pamphlet, entitled, "A Short Review of the Political State of Great Britain," which appeared early in the year 1787, and which obtained a conſiderable ſhare of popularity, was alſo aſ⯑cribed, by ſeveral perſons, to Mr. Wraxall.
As a traveller, he is well known to be a lively and ſenſible obſerver of men and manners; as an Hiſtorian he has alſo given proofs of great ability and talents.
Of Saliſbury. He publiſhed, in 1775, "A Gentleman's Tour through Monmouthſhire and Wales," in an octavo pamphlet, which by the help of a ſecond journey over the ſame ground, was amplified into a quarto volume, in 1781, and re⯑publiſhed under the title, "A Tour through Mon⯑mouthſhire and Wales." In the year 1784, Mr. Wyndham was the editor of the Diary of George Bull Doddington Lord Melcombe; four years after this, he publiſhed Wiltſhire, extracted from Domeſday Book, in an octavo volume; and, in [399] 1794, "A Picture of the Iſle of Wight," in an octavo volume. He is a writer of conſiderable merit in the line of authorſhip which he has traced.
A Clergyman of Yorkſhire: formerly Rector of Black Notley in Eſſex. He was Chairman of the late Committee of Aſſociation of the county of York, for obtaining a Parliamentary Reform; and has been a diſtinguiſhed ſtickler for efforts of that nature. Mr. Wyvill has publiſhed a Viſitation Sermon, preached at Kelvedon, in 1772; Thoughts on the Articles of our Religion, a pamphlet; ſe⯑veral occaſional political Pamphlets, chiefly on the ſubject of Parliamentary Reform; and a Collec⯑tion of Political Papers on the ſame ſubject, in three volumes, octavo. His counſel and approba⯑tion were ſought by the Miniſter in the plans for the purpoſe of Parliamentary Reform, which he was ſome years ago preparing to lay before the Public; but their correſpondence gradually languiſhed, and, at length, entirely dropt on the part of Mr. Pitt. In 1796, Mr. Wyvill publiſhed Parts I. and II. of this Correſpondence, in octavo pamphlets.
ORIGINALLY a Milk-maid of the City of Briſtol. Her poetical talent was diſcoverd by Mrs. Hannah More, who ſolicited for her the protection, of Mrs. Montagu, in a prefatory Letter prefixed to a collection of her poems, publiſhed (in quarto) in 1785. Two years after this, Mrs. Yearſley pub⯑liſhed another collection of Poems, in quarto; and has, ſince that time, written a Poem on the Inhu⯑manity of the Slave-trade; "Stanzas of Woe;" Earl Goodwin, an hiſtorical play, performed at Briſtol; and the Royal Captives, a novel of conſi⯑derable merit, in four volumes, duodecimo. She has experienced great encouragement from the Public in her literary undertakings; but has unfor⯑tunately had a diſpute with her original patroneſs which was carried, on both ſides, to a diſguſting exceſs. Her poems, like thoſe of all unlettered poets, abound in imagery, metaphor and perſonifica⯑tion; but breathe the genuine ſpirit of poetry. She is a remarkable inſtance of the obſervation poeta naſcitur.
Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, Hono⯑rary Member of ſeveral Societies at home and abroad, and a writer chiefly conſpicuous on Agri⯑cultural Subjects. Mr. Young was born at Brad⯑field in Eſſex, being a younger ſon of a good family reſident on that ſpot for nearly two centuries. He began his farming purſuits upon the land which he, at preſent, occupies, about the year 1761; re⯑ſided afterward, for nine years, in Hertfordſhire, and then returned to his native place. In the years 1776-1779, he made journies to Ireland; and, on an invitation from M. Lazowſki, to accompany him and Count de la Rochefoucauld to the Pyre⯑nees, made his firſt journey into France in 1787. Mr. Young returned to England in the winter of the ſame year, and attended the Wool Bill then before our Parliament, after which he made a ſe⯑cond tour to France, and finiſhed his travels in 1789.
Of Mr. Young's publications, the firſt was an octavo volume, entitled, "The Farmer's Letters, &c." which appeared in 1767, and to which a ſe⯑cond volume was, ſome years afterward, added. His ſubſequent productions have been, "A ſix weeks Tour through the Southern Counties of Eng⯑land and Wales," in an octavo volume; an Eſſay [402] on the Management of Hogs; a ſix-months Tour through the North of England, in four volumes, octavo; the Farmer's Guide in Hiring and Stock⯑ing Farms, in two volumes, octavo; "Rural Oeco⯑n [...]my," an octavo volume; a Courſe of Experi⯑mental Agriculture, in two volumes, quarto; the Farmer's Tour through the Eaſt of England, in four volumes, octavo; "Political Arithmetic," Parts I. and II. pamphlets; a Tour in Ireland, firſt publiſhed in a quarto volume, and afterward reprinted in two volumes, octavo; Annals of Agri⯑culture, in ten volumes, octavo; Travels in France, in two volumes, quarto; "The Example of France a Warning to Britain," an excellent and highly ſeaſonable pamphlet, publiſhed in 1793, and which was the origin of the eſtabliſhment of our Yeomanry Cavalry; an Idea of the preſent State of France, a pamphlet, publiſhed in 1795; and "The Conſtitution Safe without Reform,' a pamphlet.
Though the agricultural purſuits of Mr. Young have been highly laudable, his publications in this claſs have not been flattered with a recep⯑tion peculiarly kind, and his judgement on thoſe ſubjects has been frequently diſapproved. In poli⯑tical arithmetic he has deſervedly gained conſiderable eminence; and his TRAVELS in France, in which his purſuit was not agriculture, but political oeco⯑nomy, have been very eagerly read and highly approved.
Son of the late Lieutenant-governor of Domi⯑nica, and grandſon of the late Dr. Brook Taylor. He publiſhed, in 1777, "The Spirit of Athens," in an octavo volume; and, in 1786, the ſame work conſiderably enlarged, under the title, "The Hiſtory of Athens Political and Philoſophically conſidered," in a quarto volume. The ſtyle of this work is incorrect, complicated, and uncouth, but it is full of imagination, reflexion, and vi⯑gour. In 1788, Sir William Young publiſhed a pamphlet on Mr. Gilbert's propoſed Amendment of the Poor Laws; and he has written, ſince that time, "The Rights of Engliſhmen," a pamphlet; and a Letter to Mr. Pitt on the ſubject of Poor Houſes and Work Houſes. A Speech on the Slave-trade, deliverd by him in Parliament, in 1791, has alſo reached the preſs; and he has edited, and prefixed a Life of the author, to Con⯑templatio Philoſophica, a poſthumous work of Dr. Brook Taylor, printed in an octavo volume, but not publiſhed.
RECTOR of Wycliffe in Yorkſhire, and for⯑merly Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. A polite and ſenſible writer. He gained the Seato⯑nian Prize at the Univerſity, in the year 1765, for a poetical eſſay on the Crucifixion, which was printed according to the conditions of the inſtitu⯑tion. Mr. Zouch has alſo, more recently, publiſhed two Viſitation Sermons; a Viſitation Addreſs; an Enquiry into the Prophetic Character of the Ro⯑mans, as deſcribed in Daniel viii. 23-25; a new edition, with notes and a preface, of Iſaac Walton's LOVE AND TRUTH, in two letters; and a new edition, with a notes and a Life of the Author, of Walton's LIVES of Donne, Wotton &c. in a quarto volume, an elegant and valuable work.
| Page | Line | |
| 23 | 5, | for deal attention, read deal of attention |
| 104 | 13, | for them, read him |
| 135 | 7, and 9, | for Saliſbury, read Saluſbury |
| 221 | 10, | for edition, read editors |
| 267 | 13, | for celebreè, read celebres |
| 314 | 3, | for 1796, read 1769 |
| 334 | 17, | for raticle, read article |
The following is a ſentence which was paſſed upon Mr. Macken⯑zie, by a reviewer of the day, upon the appearance of his Man of Feeling.
‘It is probably a firſt work; and from the ſpecimen it affords of the talents of its author, we ſhould not be diſpoſed to think that he will ever attain to any great eminence in literature. He may amuſe him⯑ſelf at the foot of Parnaſſus; but to aſcend the ſteeps of the moun⯑tain muſt be the taſk of thoſe, on whom their benignant ſtars have beſtowed the rare gifts of true genius.’!!