the several accounts collectively appear with due propriety, The parish of Dalston is remarkable for Rose-castle, which has been for many ages the episcopal residence in that county; and also for Shawk quarries, numbered among the best in the kingdom for fine free-stone, of which they have furnished immense quantities: the Romans had recourse to them, as is manifested by memorable proof still existing in the aukward inscription on one of the cliffs. This spot has also been styled Tom Smith's leap, from a man of that name, who was pursued for some felonious action, having resolutely leaped from its top, by which he was killed. The parish of Arthuret, just mentioned, is yet more deserving of notice, as containing the English part of that great tract of country called Debateable lands, which were sold by Francis Earl of Cumberland to Sir Richard Graham in the reign of Charles I., and in this family they still continue. The alteration of these lands is very striking and happy, and chiefly to be attributed to the judicious management of Dr. Robert Graham, who erected the present elegant mansion; and who died in the year 1782. Nothing,' say the editors of this work, can afford greater pleasure to the liberal mind than the view of the fine country spred about Netherby,--some few years ago accursed with the horrid names of frontiers, marches, and debateable ground,-a land of contention, rapine, bloodshed, and wretchedness, inhabited with terror, uncultivated, and desolate, now displaying its natural fertility with the advantages of cultivation, abundant in its produce, occupied in peace, pouring forth blessings to a happy race, and adding wealth to the state at large. We cannot properly dismiss the notice of this parish without mentioning Solway Moss, a pretty. high hill of great extent, which contained, within, a vast collection of mud brought by neighbouring springs into a state of fluidity. On the 16th of November 1771, in a dark aud tempestuous night, it burst its bounds, and overspred the country round with amazing and dreadful devastation. Mr. Gilpin, in his well-written description of this event, is said to have intimated that Dr. Graham afforded the tenants but little assistance in repairing their losses: our present editors correct the mistake, by observing that every inch of the ground, thus almost miraculously destroyed, has been and is totally recovered at the expence of the Netherby family, and is at this moment waving with the richest harvests.' Well worthy of remark is the relation here given, and also by Mr. Gilpin, of John Wilson, a plain Yorkshireman, illiterate, but of great judgment and ability, who for less than twenty pounds removed a disagreeable knoll from before the house at Netherby, the expence of which a regular undertaker had estimated at 1300l.

Besides

Besides the parishes above mentioned, those of Bowness and of Burgh, as also others, have furnished for the antiquary subjects of inquiry and entertainment, and sometimes of utility. The Roman wall, and many other antient relics spred over the county, have given rise to various researches and disquisitions. In the parish of Burgh, a square pillar was erected to the memory of Edward I. who died at that place A. D. 1307. A view of it, with its inscriptions, (here exhibited) was taken in 1793, at which time it leaned much to the west, and in 1795 it fell down.

It is amusing to travel with this writer from one spot to another, and to remark the different aspects, soils, productions, buildings, &c. which are offered to our attention; it is also pleasant to observe the agreeable prospects and situations, and the improved state of agriculture, still advancing, with manufactures and meliorations of other kinds, that are brought to our notice. In some instances, is added a general character of the inhabitants: thus, concerning the parish of Orton, we are told that

They are sober, regular, industrious, and cheerful people, all chiefly occupied in cultivating their own estates. It cannot be said that they have imported every luxury into this parish, yet they enjoy, in a reasonable degree, all the conveniences and comforts of society, and are in general more contented in their situation than most people. No native was ever convicted and banished for theft; no contention has at any time happened which rendered it necessary to call in the authority of the magistrate. The inhabitants may be said to be as one family, friendly and unanimous among themselves, and hospitable to strangers. In their vacant hours, young and old mix together, practising all kind of rural amusements, to which in general they are much attached. Thus, by temperance and moderate exercise, they are healthful, robust, and cheerful, and many live to a remarkable old age. There is only one public-house in the parish.'

The present school-master and parish-clerk, Richard Dixon, has taught near forty years, and consequently has been the instructor of most of the present inhabitants: he calls himself Happy Dick, and is generally so styled by the parishioners.'

The people in the parish of Stapleton are not much cultivated; they are of simple manners, and civil to strangers. Whether in their circumstances and situation, ignorance, or a knowlege of the arts and sciences, would contribute more to their happiness, is a question' not easily decided.'

Many selections might be made for the amusement of our readers, were it consistent with that attention which other publications demand: but we proceed to the following passage:

We trust it will not be made a matter of objection to our work, that in our search after biographical materials our attention has but seldom been arrested by high-sounding names, distinguished by the

15

pride

pride of ancestry; and that we have much ofténer been led into the retreats of the humblest penury; the shop of the artisan, or the cottage of the pauper. We honour high birth: it is of itself respectable; but when men, nobly born, have been equally careful to do honour to their high descent by the performance of great and good actions, our respect for them knows little bounds. It may, perhaps, be peculiar to an history of Cumberland, that its biography is filled, chiefly, with accounts of low and poor persons. It has often struck us forcibly, in collecting and compiling these humble memoirs, and we think it can hardly fail to make a similar impression on our readers, that a majority of the persons here recorded have in early life been school-masters: but school-masters even on the lowest scale. If the notice here taken of this highly meritorious class of citizens may have the effect of procuring them somewhat more of respect and reward, we shall be happy.'

'The editors follow up these remarks by an account of Joseph Rook, a weaver in the parish of Wigton, in which he sat at the loom for several years: he was very studious, read little, and thought much;' and after an unexpected opportunity of attending a course of lectures, he became an acknowleged mathematician and philosopher, and then also appeared as a schoolmaster. His improvements are very considerable indeed: he still continues his employment, is still modest and unas suming; a clear-headed, judicious, ingenious, good man, contented, and happy; and "passing rich with less than forty pounds a year."Much advance of fortune would probably lessen his happiness.-No character, we apprehend, can be more truly respectable than that of a man who, in lower life, practises Christian virtue, and who, satisfied with his lot, industriously exerts his abilities for the benefit of himself and others.

This history furnishes instructive biography in different stations; and it is the more acceptable for recording those in an inferior rank. The part now under inspection continues to display some estimable persons from among the friends, or Quakers. Poets, philosophers, and useful artisans, are also brought before us. Some characters of note appear in the clerical line; we may particularize the Rev. Josiah Relph, sometimes called the Poet of the North, and residing, during but a short life, at the pleasant village of Sebergham; and Dr. John Brown*, well known by his poetical and other elegant works; also by his melancholy exit. Mr. George Graham, eminent not only as a clock and watch-maker, but as the best mechanic of his time, and for a complete knowlege of practical astronomy,' was born in the parish of Kirlinton in this county. Perhaps it may be a

*Commonly called "Estimate Brown."

just

just observation, that, if a comparison could be made with any other county, Cumberland would, be found distinguishable for producing men who, in all occupations and all stations, think much on deep subjects, and chiefly, if not only, on deep subjects. When they read, they read the scriptures and con troversial theology; the law, mathematics, and natural philosophy. Thus it was with Joseph Rook, already mentioned, who is not a man, of great genius, but whose forte lies in pos-. sessing a clear and vigorous understanding, and in being capable of intense thought.

We remark in the account of Stanwix, which concludes the list of parishes, that an estate, lately purchased in King-moor by Mr. Lamb of Newcastle, now lets for above 300l. a year, whereas, four years ago, it was scarcely worth 1ool. Those who cultivate the lands here with skill and care will obtain good crops of wheat, barley, and oats, but without good management the crops are very poor,'-Nearly 100 of the pages which follow are dedicated to the city of Carlisle. The epis copal see was founded by Henry I, in the year 1133. In a list of fifty-two bishops, we observe but few worthy of note. Dr. James Usher has been and will long be remembered with high regard: he held the bishopric, in commendam, by the grant of Charles I. as a compensation for his losses while archbishop of Armagh, The editors. surely betray too great severity and prejudice, when, having mentioned Cromwell's order for the sepulture of that eminent man at the public charge, they add that this was not agreeable to his character, and must have. arisen from a sinister view or private influence. Other writers, not much disposed to be favourable to Cromwell, have said that he did this out of an honourable respect to the memory of so learned a champion of the Protestant cause: But,' says the present work, he was a wretch whose soul could not be touched with such sentiments; hypocrisy, or some low and selfish motive,' induced him to this conduct. The character of Old Noll is sufficiently open to-censure, but in some instances, perhaps, not undeserving of praise; and the indignation so freely expressed in the present case might not improperly have been withheld. The names of Nicholson, Fleming, and perhaps Osbaldiston, are respectable: but a principal attention is given to Edmund Law, D. D. the account of whom is drawn up in an handsome, fair, and judicious manner, by the Rev. W. Paley.

A city consisting of two parishes is not a high-sounding description: but it is with pleasure that we read of its great advance and improvements in manufactures, buildings, population, &c. &c. since the year 1758, and still more remarkably sincer 1761. A sensible, entertaining, and informing harrative of the

modern

modern state of Carlisle is written by Mr. R. Longrigg, a native, whose remarks add considerably to the value of this work. Under the article literature, we observe the names of Paley, Miln, Thomson, Harrington, and Heysham, with several others.

The editors do not fail to make acknowlegements of the assistance received from several hands, though they intimate disappointment and mortification that the contributions have not been more numerous*.

Although we have remarked several inaccuracies of style, and other deficiencies, we must add that we have perused the volumes with satisfaction; and we must suppose that the attentive reader, whatever imperfections may strike him, will derive from them considerable and useful information. Several engravings are added in this part of the work.

We have now only farther to notice a separate publication, which bears the title of Additional Ornaments and Natural History to Hutchinson's Cumberland, pp. 54, price, medium paper, 3s. Here we find two title-pages, handsomely engraved, with two other copper-plates, exhibiting a view of Warwick-hall, and of Wetheral Cells and Summer-house.-Itis said by Mr. Jollie, the publisher, that the natural productions of the county were fully detailed in the account of the several parishes;-not so fully, however, as not to render this Jarge addition requisite, and very acceptable. The catalogue of animals, well executed, is communicated by J. Heysham, M. D. Carlisle :-The Rev. W. Richardson has prepared the article of botany :-for the fossils, the editors have exerted themselves, under the direction of the learned Professor Walker of Edinburgh.

ART. XIV. Prospectus, with Specimens, of a New Polyglott Bible in Quarto, for the Use of English Students. By Josiah Pratt, M. A. Assistant Minister of St. John's Chapel, Bedford-Row, London. 4to. Is. Printed at Oxford, at the University Press, for the Author, and sold by Rivingtons, London....

IN

S.

forming a judgment of all works of literature, as well as in acts of criminal process, the quo animo is principally to be' considered. In the case before us, therefore, the author tells us that his intention is to facilitate the study of the sacred scriptures; and this with reference to two ends: 1. To introduce them to more general regard in Christian education ;'

Much acknowlegement, however, is gratefully made to the Rev. J. Boucher, of Epsom in Surry.

and

Hi.