of thips of war of the line in Spain, viz. at Ferrol 16, at Cadiz 12, at Carthagena 8, at Alicant 6, at Malaga 6; in all 48. These were built by English builders; the reft of their navy is faid to be wormeaten, and rotten in their docks; and that of thefe 48, they are not now able to man completely 20.

THURSDAY, O&. 29.

At a common council held at Guildhall, the town clerk reported his having waited on the right honourable William Pitt, with their refolution of thanks, to which he had been pleafed to return the following answer:

"Mr. Pitt requests of Sir James Hodges, that he will be fo good to represent him, in the most respectful manner, to the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common council affembled, and exprefs his high sense of the fignal honour, which they have been pleafed to confer on him, by their condescending and favourable refolution of the 22d of October; an honour which he receives with true reverence and gratitude; not without confufion at his own fmall defervings, while he views with exultation the univerfal public fpirit diffufed through an united people, and the matchlefs intrepidity of the British failors and foldiers, conducted by officers juftly famed through all the quarters of the world to this concurrence of national virtue, graciously protected by the throne, all the national profperities (under the favour of heaven) have been owing; and it will ever be remembered to the glory of the city of London, that through the whole courfe of this arduous war, that great feat of commerce has generously set the illuftrious example of steady zeal for the dignity of the crown, and of unshaken firmness and magnanimity."

By order of the lord mayor and court ⚫of aldermen of London, the feveral barges are to be rowed from the Three Cranes to Westminster on Lord mayor's day, in the following order, (being ac cording to the feniority of their companies,) viz.

As foon as the lord mayor is landed at Westminster, the companies barges are to return, in the fame order, to the temple, and land and begin the proceffion, so as all the companies may be clear of the Temple gate before the lord mayor lands. EAST-INDIES.

The following is a letter from an officer in the British forces under major John Carnack, dated, Camp at Guya, Feb. 7. 1761.

"I can fay very little to you about any thing in this country but our exploits in war, having been conftantly in the field within twelve months past, and am now about 400 miles from Bengal.

"On the 15th of January, we had a moft decifive battle with the Mogul's troops, confifting of about 80,000 men, and headed by a prince of the empire. Our army confifted of 3co Europeans, 2500 Seapoys, 12 pieces of cannon, and about 20,000 black troops.

"The engagement begun about eleven o'clock, and before two we were masters of the field of battle, all the French cannon, and fome baggage. Our prisoners confift of a great number of black troops, about 70 or 80 French foldiers, and seven French officers; among thefe laft is M. Law, whom I had the honour to take and prefent to the Major. We continued purfuing them clofe, for feveral days after the battle, in which time we gained feveral advantages. Two days ago the prince furrendered himself to the protection of the Major, and is now in our camp. He is treated with a great deal of refpect by the Major, and it is faid is to have an allowance of 1000 roupees per day. He appears in all the pomp of an Eastern monarch, though in his looks there is a great deal of dejected dignity. He is expected to fet out for Patna in à few days."

AMERICA.

The laft advices from the continent of America, confirm, that there had been a meeting of the chiefs of the Delawars, and Six Nation Indians, with fome of our governors, to ratify the treaties fubfifting between them and us; but it appears, that, after our people thought every thing was amicably agreed on, the chief of the Delawars made a demand of a tract of country, which is fettled by our people, but which the latter say they have purchafed on the other hand, the

Indians

Indians infift it was a fraudulent bargain; and that they were deceived in the length of ground, and will never give up their pretentions to it.

From Fort Augufta we learn, that on' the 21 ult. Old Cæfar arrived at the

camp, with a talk to colonel Grant from Oucanostota, fuing for peace; and on the 23d Cæfar fet off with the colonel's anfwer; he expected to be at Hywaffee in five days, where the headmen and warriors of the Cherokees were to meet him. They are allowed thirteen days from the 23d to come down to fettle preliminaries. BIRTHS.

The Lady of Lord Farnham, of a fon. The Lady of Merrick Burrel, Efq; of a daughter.

The lady of Sir Samuel Fludyer, Bart. of a fon.

The Lady of the Earl of Shaftesbury, of a fon.

ter.

The Lady of Lord Sondes, of a fon.
The Lady of the Hon. Col. Brudenell.
Lady Viscountefs Dillon, of a daughter.
Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave, of a daugh-

MARRIAGES.

Thomas Quince, Efq; at Alliborne, near Chichester, to Mifs Maria Curl.

Thomas Harrifon, Efq; to Mifs Buckting of Stockport, in Durham.

John Tredway, of Ludlow, Efq; to Mifs Polly Sinipfon.

Dr. Mafalgueyrat, to Mrs. Booty, of Bury.

Count Bujow, to the Countess of Kilmileg.

George Wilfon, of Harbottle, in Northumberland, aged 105 years, to Lilley Forbes, aged 42; being his fourth wife. He danced with the bride after dinner, and with most of the ladies prefent, with the vivacity of a man of forty.

Tho. Brigstock, Efq; to Mifs Davies. Hon. Tho. Clifford, Efq; to Mifs Afton. Benj. Hopkins, Efq; to Mifs Skinner. The Rev. Mr. Beft, to Mifs Jones, of Wefton, Shropfhire.

The Rev. Mr. Smalridge, to mifs Capper.

Sir James Lowther, Bart. to the Right Hon. Lady Mary Stuart, eldest daughter of the Earl of Bute.

Tho. Barstow, Efq; to Mifs Banaman.
Rev. Mr, Bradihaw, of Bridgewater

fquare, to Mifs Worfley.

Mr. Samuel Ballard, bookfeller, LittleBritain.

John Standley, Efq; of Boxworth, Cam bridgeshire.

Mr. Gerard Hulme, formerly coachman to William III.

James Thornton, Efq; of Netherwitton. Arthur Stanhope, Efq; at Leeds. Mifs Abercrombie, daughter of General Abercrombie.

Right Hon. Lord Rae, at Durness. George Wicks, of Thurfton, Efq; fuddenly.

The Lady of Thomas Tovey, Efq; in child-bed.

Sir Richard Lloyd, one of the barons of the Exchequer.

James Poftlethwayt, Efq; in HattonGarden.

ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS, Mr. John Warren, Rec. Leverington, with Rec. Teverfham, Cambridge.

Mr. Gibfon, Vic. Bedfont and Hefton, in Middlelex.

Mr. William Huddesford, Vic. Tachbrook, Warwick.

Right Rev. Dr. John Ewer, bishop of Llandaff, to hold with that bishopric, the Canonry of St. George's chapel, Windsor,. with Rec. Bedwefs, in. Munn.outhshire, and Rec. Eldefley in Berks, and the chapel of Ruddray in Llandaff.

Mr. Willey, Rec. Regworth, Leicestersh. Mr. Prebendary Ward, Vic, Nefton. Mr. Prebendary Jackion,, Recor Dodlafton.

Mr. Prebendary Mainwaring, R.dor West-Kirby.

Mr. Hinckman, Vicar St. Ofwald.

S

IRFRANCIS BACON, knight, baron Verulam, viscount St. Alban, and lord high chancellor of England, in the reign of king James I. the glory and ornament of his age and nation, was the fon of Sir Nicholas Bacon *, lord-keeper of the Great Seal, by his second wife Anne, one of the daughters of Sir Anthony Cooke, tutor to king Edward VI. a lady remarkably distinguished for her piety, prudence, and learning. He was born at York-house, in the Strand, on the 22d of January, 1561, and gave early proofs of a noble and furprifing genius, which his parents took the utmost care to cultivate and encourage. Even in his very tender years his parts were so remarkably fine, that perfons of the greatest worth and dignity delighted in his converfation; and queen Elizabeth, who had the peculiar fe

licity of making a right judgment of merit was fo charmed with his sense and beha viour, that he often used to call him her young lord-keeper t. At the age of twelve years, he was fent to the university of Cambridge, and entered of Trinity-Col lege, under Dr. Whitgift, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury. An uncommon diligence and application under the direc tion of fo able and careful a tutor, added to the extreme quicknefs of his natural parts, caused him to make a most surprising progrefs in his studies. Before he was fixteen, he had not only run through the whole circle of the liberal arts, as they were then taught, but even at that time began to perceive thofe imperfections in the reigning philofophy, which he afterwards fo effectually exposed, and thereby not only overturned that tyranny which prevented the progrefs of true knowledge, but laid the foundation of that free and useful philofo

November, 1761.

4 B

phy

phy which has opened a way to so many great and glorious difcoveries.

It

When Mr. Bacon began his studies, Ariftotle was in effect the pope in philofophy. The lectures in private colleges and public fchools were generally expofitions upon his text, which was revered as fublime and fupernatural. was therefore a very fingular happiness for a young gentleman to fee farther into Nature than the celebrated philofopher at whofe feet he was placed. He took diftafte betimes at the vulgar fcenes of natural philosophy: not that he despised Ariftotle: he owned what was excellent in him; but in his inquiries into nature, he proceeded not upon his principles. Use and custom might have reconciled the old method to him, as it had done to others, but he began the work anew, and laid the foundation of philofophic theory in numerous experiments. He afterwards told Dr. Rawley his chaplain, that his exceptions against Ariftotle were not founded upon the worthleffhefs of the author, to whom he would ever afcribe all high attributes, but for the unfruitfulness of the way, being a philofopher (as his lordship expreffed it) fit only for disputations and contentions, but barren of the product of works for the benefit of the life of men; in which mind he continued to his dying day.

The lord-keeper, difcovering in his fon fuch a ripeness of judgment and difcretion, refolved to fend him, young as he was, to France, that he might improve himself in the knowledge of the world, under Sir Amias Powlet, the queen's ambalador at Paris; as capable and honest a minister as any that age produced. He fo gained the confidence and esteem of Sir Amias, by his excellent behaviour, that he entrusted him with a commission of importance to queen Elizabeth, which required both fecrecy and difpatéh. He came over to England, performed it with fuch applaufe, as gained both him and the ambailador great credit,, an returning to Paris, made feveral exeurons into the French provinces, that he might be the

t

better acquainted with the country; fometimes refiding at Poitiers, and making fuch obfervations upon men and things as opportunities would allow ; and at the fame time applying himself not only to fuch ftudies as were agreeable to his inclination, but to thofe likewife for which his father had more particularly fent him thither. And this appears from a very ingenious and elegant performance, of his, containing A fuccinct View of the State of Europe at that time, written when the author was but nineteen. But while he was thus improving his talents abroad, his fortune received a very unhappy check at home, by the unexpected death of his father Sir Nicholas Bacon, who having amply provided for all his other children, had put bye a confiderable fum for this his youngest, which he intended to lay out in the purchase of lands, and then fettle them on him; but before he could meet with a proper one. he died; and the money being undifpofed of by Sir Nicholas, it went amongst all his children, and fo by that means our author had but a fmall part for his fhare; which proving but a narrow provifion, he found himself obliged to return to England, and to think of fome profeffion that might increase his fortune. On his arrival in his native country, he applied himself to the study of the common law, and for that purpose entered himself of the honourable fociety of Gray'sInn; where, by his affability, deport. ment, and extraordinary talents, he procured the affection of all the members. He was fo pleafed with his situation, that be erected there a very elegant structure, which was afterwards commonly called the lord-chancellor Bacon's lodgings; and occafionally inhabited in it through the greatest part of his life.

He spent his time, during the first years of, his refidence in this place in very hard ftudy; not confining himself entirely to the law, which, however, he made sufficiently his care, but indulging his extensive genius in the free contemplation of the whole circle of fcience. Here he framed the plan of his great philofophical work;

which will render his name immortal, and reflect eternal honour on his country, as long as learning shall continue to flourish. In the law he made as rapid a progress as in the other fciences, and diftinguished himself in his practice, which was very confiderable; and after discharging the office of reader at Gray's-Inn, in the year 1588, he was become fo eminent, that queen Elizabeth, who never over valued any man's abilities, conferred a great honour upon him, by appointing him her counfel-extraordinary. This contributed much to his reputation, but very little to his fortune, for which he was never greatly indebted to her majesty.

He feemed to come into the world with as great advantage and high pretenfions of preferment, as any man; for besides being the son of a lord-keeper, and very eminent statesman, he was nephew to Cecil, lord Burleigh, lord-high-treasurer, and of course first cousin to his fon Sir Robert Cecil, then fecretary of state. But the court and ininiftry of Elizabeth were divided into two parties. At the head of the one were the Cecils, and at that of the other, first, the earl of Leicester, and afterwards his fon-inlaw, the earl of Effex. He was in high credit with both factions; and this contributed more than any thing to spoil his for tune. If he had steadily adhered to the Cecils, he might very probably have risen by their intereft; but he made a very early friendship with the earl of Effex, who headed the other party, and attached like wife his elder brother, Mr. Anthony Bacon, to that nobleman's service, and that in fo ftrict a manner as could not fail to give great jealousy to the Cecils. However, that they might not feem to neglect fo near a relation, or flight a perfon of fuch diftinguished abilities, the Cecils procured for him the reverfion of the place of register of the court of Star-chamber, which was very confiderable; but he did not receive the actual possession of it, till 20 years after, in the next reign. The earl of Effex was his warm friend. He used his utmost endeavours to procure for him the place of folicitor in the court of

Chancery; but in vain. It was 1594 not till then, that Mr. Bacon found

how little he had to trust to the friendships of the Cecils. As for the earl of Effex, he had fo generous a concern for his failure of fuccefs in this application,

which he believed to be owing to his own appearance in his friend's caufe, that he made him a very handfome prefent, by way of amends, out of his own fortune. So fincere a mark of friendship and tender regard, one would have thought, must for ever have attached Mr. Bacon to his fortunes: but, unhappily for the character of the latter, we find it otherwife. When the earl was tried for bis life, our author pleaded on the fide of the crown, and appeared against him in his profeffion as a lawyer. Nay, after the earl had payed by his death for the errors of his conduct, he drew up that treatise, entitled, A Declaration of the Treafons of the earl of Effex; which was calculated to justify the government in their proceedings against this unhappy nobleman, and to ward off the public hate from those who had ruined him, and never done Mr. Bacon any good. The clamour against him was fo great, that he was forced to write an apology for his conduct, which he addreffed to the earl of Devonshire. It was admirably well penned, wrote with fincerity, and adorned with the greatest eloquence. The ground-work of his defence was, that he was indeed greatly indebted to the earl of Effex as his friend and patron, but he then likewife owed duty and obedience to the queen, which he thought, ought not to be facrificed to his private obligations to Effex. But this comes not up to the point, which is this: whether, after the earl had been so active in his favour, he should have been so bufy as he was in the proceedings against him. That he was not bound to rebel with the earl of Effex, because he was his friend, which yet the earl of Southampton did, no man in his wits would deny; but that he should be fo ready to do against the man that he had professed such friendship for, and that had been so good a friend to him, what any other man might have done as well, is what the wit of this able author could never fatisfactorily account for; and he remained as long as he lived with the ftain of ingratitude upon his character, which has never been entirely removed. The best excufe which can be found, and which he dared not make for himself, though perhaps it is the true one, was, that he acted in this manner not so much out of duty and obedience to the queen as out of fear. If we may credit a writer of those times, the queen and her 4 B 2 minifters