3. Nichols's Literary Anecdotes of the The Letters, also, of Governor Thicknesse afford much amusement, as those of Dr. Stukeley will of infor mation on the subject of Antient Coins. We are very thankful for the com, munication here made, relating to T. Martin of Palgrave, of Antiquarian memory. He was an amiable man, and admirably conversant with the history and antiquities of his Country. He was usually distinguished by the appellation of Honest Tom Martin, and was intimately connected with an individual who enjoyed, by universal consent, a similar epithet, namely, Honest Tom Payne. Like many others of his literary brethren, he had to encounter great difficulties in life, and was compelled, doubtless with much anguish of mind, to dispose, whilst he lived, of a great part of his most valuable library. He who writes this, remembers to have seen, in a provincial town, two cart-loads of old books on their way to an obscure bookseller, who did not know the importance of the prize he had obtained, and who disposed of them again for a very trifle. A minute and accurate account of this learned person has been given in the new edition of the Biographical Dictionary, now publish ing by Mr. Alexander Chalmers. The We next meet with the venerable names of Pyle, father and sons. father enjoyed deservedly whilst he lived the uninterrupted friendship of Bishop Hoadly. The youngest son, Philip Pyle, was personally and intimately known to the Reviewer, and well deserved a much more enlarged notice; which, it is hoped, some Correspondent will yet supply. We cannot, however, help hastening a little onward, to arrive at the most excellent sketch of the very celebrated John Wilkes, compiled, as most obviously appears, from personal knowledge, joined to the most accurate information. It appears almost an act of injustice to mutilate this article, which is peculiarly full of en tertainment; but we cannot refrain gratifying ourselves by inserting the following Letters, which Mr. Wilkes received from many illustrious characters on the subject of his publication of Theophrastus. "In the early progress of the work, Dr. Tomson, for his examination; and Mr. Wilkes sent some proof-sheets to the Doctor submitted them to a friend, who addressed the following letter to Mr. Wilkes: two 'Thornbury, near Bristol, Oct. 24, 1789. 'Sir,-My good friend Dr. Tomson, of Kensington, has transmitted to me a first proof of an intended new Edition of the Characters of Theophrastus. I beg to congratulate the publick on points: the one, that the Remains of Theophrastus are likely to be sent into the world; and that you, Sir, undertake it. The Doctor, from too great a partiality to me, has desired me to give my opinion upon certain points; and he seemed to wish that my answer should be sent to yourself. This will, I trust, apologize for my addressing you. The Doctor writes, that the Vatican MS. has no accents, no aspirates; but preserves the apostrophe. The want of accents proves its antiquity: for I am fully convinced that accents are of modern invention; and, as now used, are destruc tive of all quantity. Let any man read twenty lines in Homer, or Sophocles, by accents as now used; and that will be, I think, a sufficient answer to all the treatises which have been, or ever will be, written in their defence. With regard to the Greek letters and words (I do not mean as to their form, which has varied in different ages), I humbly think the best guide. Muratori has the largest that the antient inscriptions would be collection; but, as the Vatican MS. has omitted them, for uniformity's sake they may be omitted through the whole; though I confess it to be singular. For the same reason, the apostrophe should be retained. The Vatican MS. as the Doctor writes, retains it. One thing is omitted, which I have taken the liberty to supply; I mean the iota. This seems to me to be absolutely essential. Antient inscriptions, &c. were generally exhibited in capital letters, and then the iota was adjoined. I believe no instance can be produced of its omission. Does the Vatican MS. omit it? As to the manner, I think it very good: the letter of a proper size; and the lines at proper distances. One thing I beg to object against; I mean, capital letters to begin each sentence. I am no military man, yet I love a military review; and my eye eye would be offended to see here and there a perked-up grenadier of six feet four inches, breaking the line of five feet ten inches. Indeed, I would allow an officer, pro dignitate, like a proper name, to exceed in height. I have drawn a line through these grenadiers. It is quite right that ligatures should be banished. I have mentioned one or two other particulars to Dr. Tomson; whom I beg my best compliments. I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient servant, W. HOLWELL.' to "This plan was adopted, and Theophrastus is without accents. "Among the many acknowledgements which were sent to him were the following: 'Park-place, May 29, 1790. Dear Sir, I return you many thanks for the valuable present, which I have this moment received, of your new Edition of Theophrastus. Its value to me consists in its being a memorial, and not the first of the kind, of your friendship. As such, I shall ever sacredly preserve it; and shall contemplate it with more pleasure than the perusal could afford to many who possess the knowledge whichI have unfortunately lost, if I can pretend to have ever attained it, of the language in which its contents are written. I am under a solemn engagement to Sir John Elliot, and mean to perform it, that I will learn the Spanish language, for the purpose of reading Don Quixote in the original text of a beautiful impression which he gave me. If I have life and leisure, I will not despair of being able to qualify myself to profit in the like manner by your gift. I have the honour to be, dear Sir, your much obliged and most faithful servant, WARREN HASTINGS.' 'Ken Wood, June 3, 1790. Lord Mansfield returns many thanks to Mr. Wilkes for his Theophrastus; and congratulates him upon his elegant amusement. Theophrastus drew so admirably from Nature, that his Characters live through all times, and in every country. Leicester-fields, June 4. Sir Joshua Reynolds presents bis compliments to Mr.Wilkes, and returns him many thanks for the present he has made him; the value of which is much increased, in his estimation, by the honour of receiving it from him. He is very much flattered by Mr. Wilkes's polite attention to him.' Cavendish-square, June 5. Sir John Thorold presents his compliments to Mr. Wilkes; is much honoured by his kind remembrance, and the valuable present he has made him of his Edition of Theophrastus; which, he doubts not, is equally immaculate as his Catullus. He is much flattered by his acceptance of the trifles he ventured to offer; but, as he could make no adequate compensation, he endeavoured to testify his grateful sense of his favours.' 'Queen's-square, June 5. Mr. Cracherode has the honour to return his thanks to Mr. Wilkes, for the most complete Edition of the Characters of Theophrastus as yet printed; and to express the very grateful sense he entertains of his repeated favours.' 'Soho-square, June 6. I know not whether you extend the liberality with which you distribute to your friends copies of your valuable Editions of the Classicks any further: but I do know that I have an application from the Library of the University of Gottingen, now one of the very best in Europe; requesting that, as money will not purchase them, your goodness will place them there. I do not mean to press upon any resolutions you have made on the subject; so shall only say, that, in acceding to the prayer of their petition, you will command the gratitude of some very learned men. Believe me, dear Sir, &c. Jos. BANKS.' 'Bushy Park, Sept. 27, 1790. 'Sir,-Being possessed of a very good collection of the Greek and Latin Authors, and some very curious Editions, I cannot help entertaining an anxious desire of enriching my Library by the addition of your two elegant publications of Catullus and Theophrastus. But, alas! I find by inquiry among all the Booksellers, that they are not to be purchased; and that I can only make that valuable acquisition by addressing myself to your liberality. That course I have therefore taken. If you should have the goodness both to pardon and to comply with my application, be assured that no person on whom you may have conferred the same obligation will myself. I have the honour to be, Sir, set a higher value on the present than your most obedient and most humble servant, SYLVESTER DOUGLAS.' 'Althorp, Oct. 17, 1790. 'Sir, Though I have not the advantage of being personally acquainted with you, I cannot avoid taking the liberty of troubling you with a few lines, to return you my most sincere acknowledgements for the very obliging manner in which you have done me the bonour to send me your beautiful Edition of Theophrastus upon vellum. I esteem myself peculiarly fortunate, as a Collector of scarce and valuable books, that, in consequence of my having purchased Count Reviczky's Reviczky's Collection*, I am become the possessor of two books, not more desirable on account of the correctness and beauty of their execution, than from the name and reputation of their Editor; whose talents and abilities, having already made so distinguished a subject for our political, must in future be equally celebrated by our literary, historians. I have the honour to be, Sir, with great truth, your most obedient humble servant, SPENCER.' The remainder of this Volume is occupied by important and interesting Additions to those which precede. They must unquestionably have been the result of much severe labour and application, and they display the most minute care and accuracy in their methodical arrangement. Weshall point out two articles among a great multitude, which have afforded the most unmixed gratification. : "Sir William Browne first settled at Lynn, under the patronage of the Turner family, about the year 1716; and in Feb. 1718 his name was enrolled among the free burgesses of that town; though there appears not to have been any great cordiality between him and the Corporation, and on some public occasion he set up a kind of competition for precedence with the Mayor. This appears by the following extract from the Town Records Aug. 29, 1723, Ordered, that a Letter be written by the Town Clerk to Dr. William Browne, to acquaint him with the resentment of this Corporation of his affront to the Mayor [Rich. Harwick, esq.], Justices, and Gentlemen of the Corporation, by an undue precedence he assumed and persisted in on Monday last." At that period he styled himself M. D. of both Universities; and he appears to have got on fast in the way of his vocation, so as to obtain a large share of popularity and practice, especially among the middling and lower classes of the community, which he is said to have turned to very good account; and he is understood to have made much more of his patients in the pecuniary way, than his rival Physician at Lynn [Dr. George Hepburn] was able to make of his among the higher orders. Having become the popular Physician and favourite, he the less regarded the favour of the gentry or higher classes. He has been spoken of at Lynn as a good Physician; but out of the line of his profession, either from his vanity or his eccentricities, he had not the art of concili *Which included a copy of Mr. Wilkes's Catullus on vellum. ating respect. In one thing he seemed more fortunate than his contemporary Hepburn; for he died rich, and the other poor. Hepburn's numerous patients were, it seems, more liberal in feasting than in feeing him; whereas Browne would not have been satisfied with that sort of liberality. — Browne certainly was a person of no common cast, or ordinary genius. Men of his sort are not to be seen every day; and when they do appear, they are sure to attract observation, and apt to make a stir wherever they happen to fix their residence. Browne was at the head of those who opposed the ruling powers at Lynn for most part of his long residence in that town; and he appears to have conducted bimself with no small share of skill and dexterity; and with considerable effect when the squabble assumed any thing of a literary aspect. Dr. Edmund Pyle seems to have been his chief opponent; but he sometimes had the whole corporate body at him; yet he generally repelled their attacks very stoutly and successfully; and the opposition made by him and his friends is supposed to have been often of essential service to the town. At a contested election in 1747, he bore a conspicuous part; which led to an intimacy with Mr. Folkes, and to the marriage of that gentleman with Sir William's only daughter. -The late Mr. Thomas Hollingbury, many years a respectable bookseller at Lynn, used to say, that the first time he had to make out his bill after the Doctor had been dubbed a Knight, he wrote Sir William Browne Debtor to Thomas Hollingbury. When he delivered it into the Knight's hand, he looked at it a short time, and then, looking at him, said, 'Mr. Hollingbury, you might have said The Honourable Sir William Browne.' 'I beg your pardon, Sir William,' replied the Bookseller; but, upon my word, I did not know that it was customary to prefix to the name of a Knight the word Honourable.'-'As to that,' replied the Knight, if it be not customary, it would yet have been pleasing.'- Dr. Pyle, in a letter to his Father, in July 1752, says, "Your old friend Sir William Browne came to my Lord Bishop of Winchester some weeks ago, and told him, that he waited upon him for a pension payable out of his estate to the College of Physicians. My Lord said,' he never heard of any such pension paid out of his revenues; and as to an estate of his own, he had none.'-'Yes,' said the Knight, you are chargeable herewith out of such an estate.' My Lord said, had no estate any where of his own; and, as Bishop of Winchester, he had no such 6 · he such estate as was named.'-' Bishop of Winchester!' quoth the Knight; why then I am wrong; you are not the person. I wanted Sir Cecil Bishopp; and they told me he lived here.' Is Sir Cecil Bishopp a Clergyman?' says my Lord. No,' says the Knight.—Why then, Sir, you might have seen your mistake immediately; and so your servant.' The epitaph on Sir W. Browne is then given, which has appeared in the First Part of our last Volume, p. 199. A most curious and facetious Letter from Horace Walpole to the Rev. William Cole will be found at p. 711. There are a great many of our Readers who will be exceedingly thankful to us for inserting an accurate List of the various Works of the truly learned Jacob Bryant, as given by himself in a Letter to Mr. Roberts of Ealing: "Windsor, June 21, 1802. "Dear Sir,-Though your kind prejudice in my favour exceeds any thing to which I can pretend, yet it is very satisfactory, as I must always wish to stand fair in the opinion of every person of learning and goodness. The publications which I have at times sent into the world are, to the best of my memory, those which are subjoined and as you were so good as to request a list of them, I am glad that I have this recollection, : and am able to afford an account of the several Treatises. 1. Concerning the Island Melite of St. Paul. 2. Of the Wind Euroclydon. 3. Observations upon Antient History. 4. Vindiciæ Flavianæ. 5. Concerning the Apamean Medal. 6. Concerning a Passage in Justin Martyr. 7. The Analysis of Antient Mythology, 3 vols. 8. Answer to Whittenbeck of Amsterdam. 9. Address to Dr. Priestley. 10. Concerning Rowley's Poems, 2 vols. 11. A Treatise upon the Christian Religion. 12. A Treatise upon the Miracles of Moses in Egypt. 13. A Treatise upon Philo Judæus. 14. A Monody upon the Death of Lord H. Spencer. 15. Dissertation upon the War of Troy. 16. Observations upon a Treatise by Mr. Morrit. 17. Observations upon Mr. Chevalier. 18. Expostulation with the British Critick. My memory begins to fail; but I believe the List above given is a true one. We begia to be uneasy in consequence of the loss which we must suffer in the departure of Dr. Goodenough and his excellent family to Rochester. I shall be deprived of the acquaintance and friendship which I have for some time very happily experienced. But we must not repine at any thing GENT. MAG. July, 1816. that tends to his present or future promotion. I am, my dear Sir, your much obliged and obedient humble servant, JACOB BRYANT. P. S. I have, after all, omitted one publication, through my default of memory, which is, An Address to Mr. Richardson."-[Qu. What was this?] The more nearly we approach the conclusion of this work, the more reluctant do we feel to leave it. It consists of such abundant and so pleasing a variety, that we have found it exceedingly difficult to make any thing like a Selection for our Readers' The information and amusement. multitude of Original Letters from individuals of the greatest eminence, the various elucidations of characters hitherto imperfectly understood, the almost infinite number of Anecdotes Political and Literary, would justify our separate and detailed commendation. No publication of modern times possesses, with equal copiousness, similar advantages, and such general utility. The account of the eccentric Mr. Pratt, commonly known by the appellation of Courtney Melmoth, appears at p. 722, and is full of amusement; a more fertile brain or extraordinary character has not been often met with in any country. Among the distinguished persons by whom this Writer was particularly noticed, was the celebrated actor Mr. Henderson, whom the Editor has omitted to mention. Since the well-deserved compliment paid to Mr. Rennell, son of the learn ed Dean of Winchester (see p. 729), this Gentleman has been appointed, in a manner alike honourable to the Patron and himself, to the valuable Vicarage of Kensington. . But it is time to take our leave of this meritorious performance, which we do with much cordiality and esteem, merely pausing to observe, that this Volume is embellished with some excellent Portraits; namely, of Basire the Engraver, Mylne, Bishop Trevor, Bishop North, Bishop Butler, and others; together with an engraving of Dr. Hawes's Monument, the Window at Stationers' Hall, and a Fac-simile of -one of Pope's Letters. With this Volume is published a copious and very useful Index to the Eighth and Ninth Volumes. 4. A Chronological History of the Voyages and Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Vol. IV. By James Burney, F. R. S. Captain in the Royal Navy. THE present Work is designed as a Plan for a Digest of Maritime Geographical Discovery; a great desideratum, unquestionably, in Literature; and the more sensibly felt, because, since the appearance of our earlier Voyages, the mass has been so much increased, that a proportionably enlarged account, and a more systematic arrangement, are become absoTutely necessary. Hackluit, indeed, must be excepted from the number of unsystematic Compilers. He is methodical as far as he goes still it will be recollected, that Hackluit lived in the time of Elizabeth, and consequently, without inquiring further into the pretensions of this Divine as a compiler of Voyages, his account, however excellent in other respects, cannot answer the expectations of the present times. The Collections of Hackluit, too, are confined to English Voyagers. This Work, however, a Digest of Maritime Discovery, is now nearly completed, by Capt. James Burney, a gentleman every way equal to the undertaking. The Volume now announced brings the History of Voyages in the South Sea down to the year 1723, and gives a very complete account of the Buccaneers of America; but this being the last of four volumes, it becomes expedient to speak, though it can only be in a very summary way, of the first three. In a well-written Address to Sir Joseph Banks, Captain Burney speaks thus on the subject of a general plan for arranging the several accounts of Voyages: "It is not to be supposed that any mode of arranging the subject could be devised, which would obviate every inconvenience. The following division is proposed, as one which appears capable of preserving its classes in a great measure distinct from each other.-The first class may contain the Voyages to the North of Europe; those in the North Seas, and towards the North Pole.-The second, those along the West Coast of Africa to the Cape of Good Hope; and the discoveries of the Atlantic Islands.The third, East from the Care of Good Hope to China, including the Eastern Archipelagos between New Holland and the coast of China. Japan might have a section to itself as a supplement to this class. The fourth might contain the whole of the discovery of the East side of America, except the Strait of Magalhanes and of Le Maire, which are more connected with the voyages to the South Sea. The fifth class may comprehend the circumnavigations and voyages to the South Sea. With these, the discoveries on the West coast of North America are so much interwoven, that separated. The discoveries made by the they cannot, without disadvantage, be Russians in the seas near Kamtschatka, and from thence to the North, would appear not improperly as a supplement to the fifth class. New Holland might form a sixth class. This country would naturally have divided itself between the third and fifth, had not its importance 30 much increased within the few last years, that it now requires a distinct class to itself. -The foregoing division is offered as a sketch for a general plan: according to the convenience or inclinathe classes are capable of modification, tion of those who may undertake any part of the task; and, in each, chronofogical order might with ease be preserved." ney has chosen the Discoveries in the For the present Work, Capt. BurSouth Sea, to which his attention, he tells us, was principally directed, from having sailed with that great discoverer and excellent navigator, Capt. served as Lieutenant in his last two Cook under whose command he Voyages. He describes the limits of what are called the South Sea or Pacific Ocean thus: "Most of the names which have been assigned to the different portions of the Ocean, are descriptive either of the climate, situation, or of some quality peculiar to the sea they are intended to designate. The names, South Sea, and Pacific Ocean, are both of a characterizing nature: but it will appear that their application has been extended far beyond every signification of the word's which the most liberal construction can allow, and equally beyond the space for which they were originally intended, to limits which, till within the last thirty years, remained undiscovered.-The line of boundary which seems designed by Nature for this great sea, is formed, on its Eastern part, by the Western coast of America, taken from its Southern extremity (Terra del Fuego) to the shore near Mount St. Elias, in 60 degrees North latitude, The Northern limits are |