as the plan; when to be published I know not.-Our Print can> not be finished till August; consequently will not be worked off or delivered before our next session. But I hope, if Norris can read the papers fast enough, to give you another Volume before the Society rises. We have had before us for several nights a paper of Mr. Strange's, the Resident at Venice, about Antiqui ties in Wales, which is to come into the 3d Volume. Mr. Essex informs me that Dr. Richardson, jun. is now in town; but, as you undertake to speak to him when he returns to Cambridge, I shall consign him to you.-Pennant's two quarto's are to come out in three weeks time.-May we hope to see you on St. George's Day? or is it too near to Sunday? . . . . . . I hope you don't forget the Pembroke cup: wish I was possessed of a cover; but hope these anecdotes will pay their postage; and though I thought 4 C's. would always have found their way to the Old House, shall take the hint of the Quidam at the Post-house. Yours truly, R. G." P. 618. 1. 12. r. “ Masson's."-P. 652. l. 15. 66 T. tongs." P. €52. note, 1. 2, r. " M. A. 1739."

P. 653. note, See the title-page also of Mr. Gough's History and Antiquities of Pleshy, only exchanging Tanner for Camden.

P. 655. The Rev. Francis Dixon was educated at Bene't College, Cambridge; B. A. 1777; M. A. 1780; B. D. 1788. He was presented by his College, of which he was the senior Fellow, to the Rectory of Landbeach in Cambridgeshire; which in 1797 he exchanged for the Rectory of the united Parishes of Bincombe and Broadway, Dorsetshire, in the gift of the Master and Fellows of Gonvile and Caius College, Cambridge. He held also the chapelry of Bradfield, in the parish of Ecclesfield, co. York, which he resigned in 1799, to Mr. Newton, who married the eldest daughter of his brother James; and the curacy of Henham, near Stanstead-Montfichet in Essex. He married, Oct. 15, 1798, the only daughter of Edward Forster, Esq. (of whom see vol. VI. p. 616); and died at Walthamstow, July 26, 1801.

P. 661. From the celebrity of Matthew Prior, the following detached Anecdotes may, perhaps, not be wholly unacceptable. It was always supposed that Mr. Prior was born in London, till the Historian of Dorset put in a claim for that County. This fact, and a remarkable date, may perhaps be illustrated by the following extract from Mr. Baker's MS account of St. John's: "Apr. 5, 1688, Ego Matthæus Prior, Middlesex', juratus et admissus sum in perpetuum Socium hujus Coll. pro Doctore Keyton, decessore Magistro Roper."

Prior, when young, was sent to London, under the protection of an uncle, Samuel Pryor, who in 1685 was a Vintner, at the Rummer, near Charing Cross; and who advertised in the Gazette, June 4, 1688, "a reward of ten guineas, to find out the fomentors and dispersers of a scandalous report, of his purchasing clipt or defaced money."-As the young man was sent to Cambridge at the uncle's expence, who was actually an inhabitant of Middlesex, the mistake might very easily happen.

Jan.

Jan. 20, 1696-7, Mr. Prior, at that time Secretary to Lord Villiers, was appointed Secretary to the King's Plenipotentiaries for the general Treaty of Peace-July 4, 1700, he was appointed one of the Lords of Trade, in the room of Mr. Locke.

At Lord Oxford's seat at Wimpole (now Lord Hardwicke's) there hung a fine picture of Harley in his Speaker's robes, with the roll of the bill in his hand for bringing in the present family; which, if I mistake not, was done by his casting vote. sion to Harley's being afterwards sent to the Tower, Prior wrote In alluwith a pencil on the white scroll, Bill paid such a day.

Mr. Felton has observed, that "Prior enjoys the freest and easiest Muse in the world, and perhaps is the only man who may rival Horace in an admirable felicity of expression, both in the sublime and familiar way. Like our celebrated Cowley, he hath excelled in all kinds of poetry. In his works we meet an assembly of the Muses. Since the Roman Swan expired, none hath taken bolder and happier flights, or touched the lyre with a more masterly hand; and, since our Chaucer's days, none hath told a merry or heroic tale so well."

In 1780, the Rev. George Ashby informed me, that "the late Recorder of Cambridge [Mr. Pont] had seen some MS Dialogues of the Dead of Prior's; they were prose, but had verse intermixed freely: and the specimen I heard proved it. The dialogue was between Sir Thomas More and the Vicar of Bray. You must allow that the characters are well chosen, and the speakers maintain their respective opinions smartly: at last the Knight seems to come over to his adversary, at least so far as to allow that the doctrine was convenient, if not honourable; but that he did not see how any man could allow himself to act thus: when the Vicar concludes; Nothing easier, with proper management,' &c. You must go the right way to work—

For conscience, like a fiery horse,
Will stumble, if you check his course,
But ride him with an easy rein,
And rub him down with worldly gain,
He'll carry you through thick and thin,
Safe, although dirty, to your inn.'

This certainly is sterling sense. G. A."-After the above parti-
culars had first appeared in print, Dr. Warton in his "
Pope," observes, "I have lately been permitted to read a curious
Essay on
manuscript, now in the hands of her Grace the Duchess Dowager
of Portland, containing Essays and Dialogues of the Dead, on
the following subjects, by Prior. 1. Heads for a Treatise on
Learning. 2. Essay on Opinion. 3. A Dialogue betwixt Charles
the Fifth and Clenard the Grammarian. 4. Betwixt Locke and
Montagne. 5. The Vicar of Bray and Sir Thomas More. 6. Oli-
ver Cromwell and his Porter. If these pieces were published,
Prior would appear to be as good a Prose-writer as Poet.-Some
valuable memoirs of his life, written by the Hon. Mr. Montagu,
his Friend, are also in the possession of the Duchess."
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VOL. IX.

P.667.

P. 667. 1. 9. "Sir Joseph-Ayloffe-not however so old as Mr. Gough makes him; for he died in the year following, æt. 72." J. B. P. 713. 1. 22. read, "between Ralph Bigland-and Mr. Allan." P. 736. 1. penult. read, "Alston Moor."

P. 746. 1. 32. for "most," read, "must."

P. 754. Thomas Pennant, M. A. of All Souls College, Oxford, was admitted B. D. as Grand Compounder in June 1814.

VOLUME IX.

P. 8. Mr. Samuel Jackson Pratt was descended from a very respectable family; his father, it is believed, having been HighSheriff of Huntingdonshire; and was born at St. Ives, in that county, on Christmas-day 1749. Mr. Pratt commenced his literary course very early in life, under the name of Courtney Melmoth. The first of his productions which attracted the notice of the publick was, "The Tears of Genius, occasioned by the Death of Dr. Goldsmith, 1774," whose poetical works are the model of his own, and whom he has followed more successfully than any subsequent writer. His poem of "Sympathy" has passed through many editions, and is characterized by feeling, energy, and beauty. When he had established a fame by his Poems and Novels, he threw off his assumed name, and increased his reputation by his succeeding productions. He was one of the most prolific writers of his day; and it is but a just tribute to his character to say, that all his works strongly tend to promote the interests of benevolence and virtue. Though his literary fame has been somewhat overcast by the extraordinary success of seve ral contemporary Poets, yet it is probable that many of his works will be admired when most of theirs have sunk into oblivion. His chief error was, not knowing how to check the exuberance of his feeling and imagination; and, therefore, he sometimes diffused his sentiments to a tedious extent. His first Novel, intituled, "Liberal Opinions upon Animals, Man, and Providence," 1775, &c. was published in detached volumes, which were eagerly perused as they successively appeared.-They display the imperfection we have noticed; but exhibit, at the same time, some well-drawn characters, particularly those of Benignus and Draper, and the work altogether is highly amusing and interesting. His "Shenstone Green," "Einma Corbett,' "The Pupil of Pleasure, or the New System [Lord Chesterfield's] illustrated," have passed through many editions, and are likely to preserve their station. His "Gleanings," and "Cottage Pictures," have been deservedly admired; but the former are certainly extended to a wearisome excess. A judicious selection from his works, and a candid account of his life, would form an interesting and amusing miscellany, and probably may be expected from his friend and literary coadjutor, Dr. Mavor.-Mr. Pratt was intimately connected with many distinguished characters of our times. Among these were Dr. Potter, the translator of Eschy

lus

1790.

"The

lus and Euripides, the elder Colman, Dr. Beattie, and, indeed, most of those characters whose works will live with the literature of their country. The collection of Letters which Mr. Pratt received form a considerable mass; and a selection would be an interesting addition to our epistolary treasures. His "Sympathy" was first handed to the late Mr. Cadell by another of his friends, Gibbon the Historian. Dr. Hawkesworth was one of Mr. Pratt's most intimate friends; and the latter wrote a Tragedy, intituled, "The Fair Circassian, 1780," which was founded on the novel of "Almoran and Hamet," written by the former. This Tragedy was represented with considerable success at Drury-lane Theatre, and the heroine was performed by the present Countess of Derby. The character was intended for Mrs. Siddons, of whom Mr. Pratt was one of the earliest friends; but that Luminary of the Stage did not adorn the theatrical world in the Metropolis till the following year.-Mr. Pratt's other dramatic productions were, "Joseph Andrews," a farce, 1778; never published. "School for Vanity," a comedy, 1785. "New Cosmestic," a comedy, "Fire and Frost," a comic opera, 1805. "Hail Fellow, well met," a drama, 1805. "Love's Trials," a comic opera, 1805. "The Mine," a dramatic ballet; not published. Saxon Princess," a tragedy; not published. "The Vale of Petrarch," a dramatic poem; not published.-Mr. Pratt was for a short time in the Church, during which he published a beautiful Elegy, intituled, "The Partridges," which is to be found in all the collections of fugitive poetry. He afterwards ventured on theatrical boards; and performed Hamlet at Covent-garden in 1774, but not with such success as to tempt him to adopt the profession of an Actor, though he was followed and admired as a public reader in this country, in Scotland, and in Ireland. He then entered into a partnership with a Bookseller at Bath; but he found that a shop was little congenial to his disposition and habits, and therefore soon relinquished the connexion. The early life of Mr. Pratt was marked by such indiscretions as too frequently accompany genius, obliged to subsist by its own la bours; but he was always ready to employ his efforts in the service of humanity, and was particularly zealous in the cause of unfriended talents; witness his "Specimens of the Poetry of Joseph Blackett; with an Account of his Life, and some Introductory Observations." No man who ever attained public distinction was more exempt from envy; and though he may, in the vicissitudes of a life unsupported by fortune, and exposed to all the casualties of a precarious subsistence, have fallen into errors, nothing of malice or ill-nature can justly be imputed to him; and, as his works are all intended to promote the interests of virtue, none of those errors should be "remembered in his epitaph." Mr. Pratt died at Birmingham, Oct. 4, 1814.-For other Works, not here mentioned, see Gent. Mag. vol. LXXXIV. ii. 399. P. 50. Count Charles de Revicksky, Commander of the Order of St. Stephen, and late Envoy Extraordinary from his Imperial Majesty

3A2

Majesty to the King of Great Britain, was born in Hungary, Nov. 4, 1737, and was deservedly eminent for his classical taste and erudition. With great judgment, and at a considerable expence, he collected a classical library, which he sold, during his residence in London, to Earl Spencer, for the sum of 1000l. and an annuity of 500l. for his life. Of this collection the Count printed, and distributed amongst his literary friends, a descriptive Catalogue, under the title of " Bibliotheca Græca et Latina, complectens auctores ferè omnes Græciæ et Latii veteris, quorum opera, vel fragmenta ætatem tulerunt, exceptis tantum asceticis et theologicis Patrum nuncupatorum scriptis; cum delectu editionum tam primariarum, principum, et rarissimarum, quam etiam optimarum, splendidissimarum, atque nitidissimarum, quas usui meo paravi, Periergus Deltophilus, Berolini, 1784," 8vo. It has likewise the following French title; "Catalogue de mes Livres. Premiere Partie, contenant les auteurs Classiques Grecs et Latins, avec des remarques tirés de différens ouvrages bibliographiques, souvent éclaircise, quelquefois redressées." Prefixed to the work (which consists of about 300 pages) is a letter of ten pages, in French, addressed to M. L'A. D**** (M. l'Abbé Denina). Besides this work, the learned author published an Essay (in French) on Turkish Tactics, Vienna, Svo; and "Specimen Poeseôs Persicæ, s. Muhammedis Schemseddini, notioris agnomine Haphyzi, Ghazelæ sive odæ sexdecim ex initio Diwani depromtæ; nunc primum Latinitate donatæ, cum metaphrasi ligata et soluta, paraphrasi item et notis, Vienna," 1771. 8vo.-Count Revicksky died at Vienna in August 1793. P. 68. Translation, by Mr. Jodrell, of a Latin Epigram by Mr. Anstey, sent to his Majesty on the attempt of Margaret Nicholson: "Tho' female frenzy aim'd the murderous blow,

Dear Albion's Father, be the triumph thine!
Since Heaven thus proves his fav'rite charge below,
And makes thy Country's love immortal shine."

P. 125. James Scott, father of the late Dr. James Scott, was Fellow of University college, Oxford; afterwards Minister of Trinity Church in Leeds, and Vicar of Bardsey in Yorkshire; and was Domestic Chaplain to Frederick Prince of Wales. He married a lady of the name of Wickham, who was granddaughter to John Wickham, Dean of York, and lineally descended from William Wickham, Bishop of Winchester, who married one of the daughters of William Barton, Bishop of Chichester, of whom the following remarkable circumstance is recorded in Camden that he had five daughters all married to English Bishops.

Dr. James Scott, born at Leeds in 1733, was educated at Bradford school, and admitted Pensioner of Catharine Hall, Cambridge, in 1752, but afterwards removed to Trinity College. He took the degree of B. A. in 1757, and was chosen Fellow the next year. His first employment in the Church was the Lectureship of St. John's, Leeds, which he held till he took the degree of M. A. in 1760. There his oratorical powers were