which we discover more of the li brary than the post-chaise-more of the author than the traveller, and more, perhaps, of the compiler than of either. 1 Some parts of our Author's route, having been described in his "Tour to Scarborough," (published in 1803, and now out of print, from that unfortunate event in the house of our Printer to which we have had so often occasion to advert,) are omitted in the present volume, which contains the descriptive scenery, and remarks on such objects and places as were new to him. These begin with Alfreton, Barnsley, and Wakefield; the latter enlivened by a description of the battle of Wakefield, between Richard Duke of York and Margaret of Anjou. This battle our Author describes with the accuracy of the Historian and the acuteness of the Antiquary. From this we proceed through Hounslet to Leeds. The value of land at this place will form an interesting extract: "The prosperity of a place may, in some measure, be ascertained by the value of land in its vicinity. A gentleman who resides at Hounslet, the village adjoining to Leeds, told us that he had, at various times, purchased twenty-two acres of land, now in a ring fence, which, upon the average, cost him three hundred pounds per acre. Upon the back part of this land he had erected his house, works, &c. He had no doubt, were he inclined, but he could dispose of the front land at a thousand pounds an acre. Another gentleman told us he had erected a steamengine, and extensive machinery for scribbling, shearing, dying, &e.. upon a lease for the short space of twenty-one years. A third gentleman remarked to us that he had recently agreed for the purchase of a small piece of land, at a most extrayagant price; he did not say what. But, as he could not make one bargain without making two, he applied to the Lord of the Manor for permission to use a small brook which ran by the side of the intended purchase, and of which the Lord made no use. That he had offered a thousand pounds, which the Lord was then in doubt whether he should accept. Water seems as dear as land." From Leeds he proceeds to Heddingley and Harewood, where he introduces the well-known episode of Edgar and Elfrida, told with all the vivacity of youth. On this subject our Author wrote a poem in 1793.Harrowgate, that celebrated water ing-place, produces the following reflections, which may, perhaps, be applicable to other places of the kind : "There are pleasures and luxuries at Harrowgate, well suited to the man who has money to spend, and time to spend it. Health and Disease, having long contended for the pre-eminence in this beautiful valley, at length came to this agreement: that Health, assisted by the waters and exercise, should govern in the morning; and that Disease, assisted by the savoury dish, the bowl, and the bottle, should preside in the evening; that, like Penelope's web, whatever was done in the day should be undone in the night." Of Ripley, Mr. Hutton remarks, what, we believe, can be said of very few towns, that, "If an old inhabitant could rise from the dead, he would find every thing the same as when he left it, except the buildings grown older, and the inhabitants changed." Ripon affords more extensive information; and the Author enters somewhat at large into its antient history, selecting, as became a traveller, those parts that are most engaging to modern readers. At Northallerton he finds what many a traveller and enquirer has found before him: "This town, two hundred years ago, was the residence of my family. My grandfather's grandfather was a native, and enjoyed the capital honour of furnishing the place with hats. I enquired after my relations, but found the name was extinct," Busby Hall affords a story of too much interest to require any apology for adding it to our pages: "In our way from Northallerton to Stokesley, we pass by Busby Hall, where resided a widow lady, named Turner, who held the estate, which is large, in her own right. She had one daughter, whom she tortured for her amusement; instead of kindness she bestowed pinches, and instead of smiles pricked her with pins.The father of the present Sir Thomas Gascoigne, and several other Baronets, would have offered her their hands; but the mother would not suffer it, for this cogent reason, that the daughter would have been a Lady, and she herself only Mistress Turner. The young lady afterwards placed her affections upon a Dutch officer, of the name of Straubenzie, and married him (perhaps this occurred in the year 1745, when the Dutch came over). The old lady was now so exasperated that she would not see her daughter, forgetting that the daughter daughter did not degrade herself to his rank, but elevated him to her own. The mother, however, could not be reconciled. This union produced two sons. The prospect before the family was poverty; not a ray of comfort could be con. The mother had completely earned the arts of reproof and of punishment, but had never learnt that of forgiveness. No doubt, peace was as much a stranger to her mind, as to her daughter's. The wind cannot make a rough sea without being rough itself. By the interposition of some friends the children were introduced to their grandmother, who took them into favour, consented to keep hem, and leave them the estate, on one trifling condition; that the children should swear never to see their mother, and she should swear never to see them. This the children could not do, and the mother would not. The refusal of the daughter ought to have pleaded her forgiveness, as it displayed the laudable tenderness of parental affection; but what can soften a rock? - The old woman, however, suffered the two boys to remain with her, and without goading or tweaking them, till maternal fondness induced their mother, one Sunday morning, to steal a peep, out of a window in Stokesley, to see her sons going to church; which dreadful crime coming to the knowledge of the old lady, she discarded them for ever. She then offered the reversion of her estate to a gentleman, who replied, 'If you leave it to me, I will give it to Mr. Straubenzie.' Thus he honourably cut himself off. She then of fered it to several others, who declined it with thanks. She then advertised it, not for sale, but for gift. At length a gentleman, whose name I have forgotten, accepted the offer upon her own terms. This gentleman, I am informed, had five or six brothers; and for fear the property should, in future, revert to her own family, she entailed the estate upon every one of them and their heirs, according to 1 priority. Anxiety shortened the days of the daughter, and the heir-at-law keeps the House of Correction at Wakefield. I apprehend a parallel case cannot be found in the history of man; for the female breast is ever open to pity towards its offspring. We read of harsh fathers; but where can be found such a mother? I have not the pleasure of knowing any of the unfortunate descendants of this unworthy mother, but am told they bear a most respectable character. Pity will find, and weep over this ill-treated family. It will create friends in their favour. There is reason to conclude, the young lady had not one enemy, except that mother who ought to have been her firmest friend. A mother is generally the greatest blessing to a daughter; but in our present case she proved the greatest curse. She knew her power, and resolved to shew it; because she possessed it. She grasped the fatal bolt, and aimed destruction at her daughter with full effect. A father has been known to wrong his children, by melting down a fortune in the bottle, or by dashing it to pieces upon a gaming-table, yet seldom out of revenge; still seldomer a mother. Had the old lady been able to reason, she might fairly have concluded, that the persons to whom she gave the estate would despise her for her gift," From Stokesley we arrive at Coatham, our Author's destination; and, consequently described with more minuteness than any other part of the Trip. It appears a very eligible spot for invalids; but, lest such should be doubtful of its containing the due proportion of pleasure which all watering-places must hold forth, we shall transcribe what Mr. Hutton says of its "AMUSEMENTS. "These are yet in a confined state; but will advance as the credit of the place advances. The billiard-table has not made its appearance; the tennis-court is not erected; the skittle-alley and the butts are not begun; nor has the bowling-green shewed its face. Quoits are in tune; but this is rather a butcher's game, although an healthful one. The visitants are amused at present with the sands and the sea in the day, and with cards at night. There is, however, what I should never expect to find, a little modern Circulating Library, for those who are inclined to letters. I must also add, that the roads are remarkably fine, and well suited to the foot, the horse, or the carriage, and both for a long or a short distance, for either meadow or romantic views. I remarked and censured in my History of Blackpool, if I remember right (for I never was master of a copy), a species of contemptible pride exhibited by one house towards another. There were five principal boardinghouses. The people of every one shunned and despised those of the other four. I am pleased that I have no room to bring this accusation against the visitants of Redcar and Coatham. There can be no reason to despise any class of people, who live without offence to society. Is not the tenant who sows the ground as good a man as the landlord, who feeds upon the crop? Can we subsist without those degraded characters the nightman and the chimney-sweeper? Nay, some have asserted, that he who cleans is a better man than he who dirties; hence, the man who cleans my shoes is preferable to me who daub them. I remember too, at Blackpool, Blackpool, the Easterly winds blew the smoke of the village upon the boardinghouse. I had a dear afflicted wife, who continued there several months, and found the virtues of the sea counteracted by the smoke of the land. This cannot be the case here, for the elevated bank upon which stand Coathain and Redcar, will prevent annoyance from its smoke; for, let the wind blow from what point it may, the meadows on one side, or the sea on the other, will clear away the refuse of the chimney." The CHARACTERS our Author met with are depicted with humour: "The developement of the human character is infinite; and a man who has nothing else to do, has time to unfold it.One of our company was a rich banker, a lively companion, though seventy; would draw up his breeches, stroke down his waistcoat, and shuffling his feet along the floor, in the style of a beau, march up with a smile, and say pretty things to the ladies. He possessed as much good-nature as vivacity. --Another, having a fortune left him of fifty thousand pounds, rejoiced in black this is often the most acceptable colour in the Mercer's shop.A third was of a shrewd philosophical turn; thought much, said little, but said it well. The next was a gentleman, his lady, and amiable daughter. They exhibited a complete, but rare, picture of conjugal love and domestic happiness. The lady took daily walks or, rides upon the sands; her husband always, and seemingly from love, attended. He found that happiness at home, which others look for abroad, and are disappointed. Her returns of affection, I am persuaded, were to his wish, although they had been married more than twenty years. We contracted a friendship with this worthy family.-Another was a young Attorney, full of spirit and activity, and of a generous turn. He spoke much, and to the purpose; was handsome; and, being the principal young man amongst us, it is hard to say what became of the ladies hearts, for we abounded with female beauty. He treated us with many humourous songs. The last gentleman I shall enumerate was a Clergyman, about thirty. I accosted him, at his first entrance, with a slight civility, to obviate that timidity which naturally attends a man, when he first enters a room among strangers. He made no return. I watched an opening to begin a conversation with him; but the only word I could extract from him was No. He spoke to none, nobody spoke to him. I saw him rearing against a window, and, willing to win him, I made another attempt; but could procure no other reply, than the same dissonant No. I desisted, concluding he kept all his words for Sunday. At dinner, he sat at my right elbow, when, for the first time, he gave a specimen of his eloquence: 'Waiter,' 'Sir,' 'Take this wine! What stuff! Change it; which was done without a word of reply. It appeared the company drank the same without a complaint. Why he came, and when he went, none of the company knew. I am doubtful of entering upon a female character; for Pope says, 'Women have no character at all. I shall, however, ventare upon one, an elderly widow lady, with an estate of seven hundred a year. She was a most aniable person, and, I could gather, was respected by all who knew her, and those were not a few; many a man would be glad to venture upon such a prize. Her knowledge was so extensive, that scarcely a family could be named, within forty miles of her residence, of whom she was ignorant. She often set disputants right in domestic history; and I must here return her my thanks for some part of this work. She chose a certain corner of the room, and no soul attempted to infringe her right. She was rather of a silent turn, but was easily brought into a laugh with the joke, which might be kept up by the hour. Whenever she uttered a sentence, she did not choose to part with it, till it had gone through three editions. I asked her, in private, whether the lively sallies of the company were too severe, for we should be sorry to give the least of fence. She assured me with a smile, they were not at all disagreeable; she was persectly satisfied, and rejoiced to contribute to the entertainment of the company. This did not slacken the progress of mirth. -Nothing in a man's life tends more to health and longevity than peace of mind; it is the index to old age. When the temper is ruffied, the whole system is disørdered. Whatever preys upon the spirits, preys upon the body, and repeated attacks bring down the man. When the sea is boisterous, there is danger. Evils will arise, which, like waves, a man cannot withstand; but there are others, which he may, and more, which prudence may avoid. I was acquainted with a couple who had resided in one house more than twenty years; the landlord turned them out; though it was one of the most disagreeable houses in Birmingham, and in which they had lost a fortune, and were reduced to poverty, yet to part with this old house broke the wife's heart, nor did the husband survive her many days. This, though only an imaginary evil, was attended with fatal effects: but they ought to have reasoned upon their case; then they would have found it a thing of little moment. When a man who is accustomed to associate and converse with man, レ man, is deprived of that blessing, being reduced to a state of solitude, he naturally applies to the brute creation for amusement. This was my case during eleven or twelve days after my arrival in 1809 at Coatham, before company approached. I attended, from the windows of the dining-room, to the domestic economy of a sow and her offspring, and was pleased with their regular deportment. I was also attentive to two flocks of geese, quartered upon the same green. A rivalship existed between them. They chattered in anger, which answered to our gazetted declaration of war, stretched out their necks, thundering vengeance, and bespattering each other with foul language; at length the heroes of both sides fought, drew off, and both, like the English and French, erected their heads, cackled in triumph, and flapped their wings in token of victory. In this second visit to Coatham, I shall hold up the glass, and exhibit a few characters.-One was a person who had the resolute prudence to retire from a business by which he was enabled to amass one hundred thousand pounds in thirteen years; an example not often followed. He acted the part of the gentleman, without assuming airs. Another was a Clergyman, whose name was Vaughan. His appearance was inviting; he was well informed, open, and intelligent. As I was given to understand his stay would be some time, I silently enlisted him among my friends, fed upon my future entertainment, and took an hour's walk. Upon enquiry for my intended friend, I found, to my regret, he was gone; and the prize had slipped through my fingers. I had often read, in the London Papers, of Worthy Aldermen. Whether the word perfectly fitted, may admit a doubt; but I am bringing upon the stage a worthy Alderman of York, whom it will completely fit; also his brother and two sons, who elaim an equal share of merit. From this quadruple alliance I enjoyed many happy hours. A lady sat at the head of the table, the wife of a Physician. Her manners were polite, engaging, and sat as easy upon her as ten thousand pounds did upon her husband. On her left, and opposite to me, sat three sisters, who treated me with six bright and black eyes, all cast in the same mould. We had also two sisters, orphans, most agreeable and accomplished ladies, and of a sweet tem'per. Ill betide the man who should attempt to steal the hearts of these lovely sprigs of human beauty, without a return! They were under the protection of a sensible lady. Should this sportive page come under their eye, they will accept my thanks for leading by the hand an old man nearly blind. They had been ill-treated at another house, came to ours, and brought with them a treasure.-Another was a widow lady and her amiable daughter. I had found a curious seashell. The lady asked, with a small degree of emotion, Where I found it?" Where, Madam, there are no more; please to accept this, and keep it for my sake.' 'I will.''Perhaps, Madam, this may not be the last time of your pronouncing the words I will.” Having been so liberal in our extracts from this amusing Trip, we can only recommend to our readers, as of equal interest and curiosity, the account of Mrs. Margaret Wharton, the Peg Pennyworth of Foote, and the detail of the battle of Marston Moor, which the Historian will not think unworthy of his attention. We might, perhaps, have pointed out other passages, but it may suffice to conclude with the general praise that the volume will form a most useful companion to persons travelling on the same road, and must be considered by all as a very extraordinary production from one of Mr. Hutton's very advanced age. The work is embellished with a portrait of the Author, a map of Cleveland, and three topographical engravings illustrative of objects of antiquity. 3. The Works of the Rev. Thomas Townson, D. D. late Archdeacon of Richmond; one of the Rectors of Malpas, Cheshire, and sometime Fellow of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford. In Two Volumes. To which is prefixed, An Account of the Author, with an Introduction to the Discourses on the Gospels, and a Sermon on the Quotations in the Old Testament, By Raiph Churton, M. A. Archdeacon of St. David's, Rector of Middleton Cheney, Northamptonshire, and late Fellow of Brasen Nose College, Oxford;" 800. pp. 849. Rivingtons, and Payne. It is with much satisfaction we renew our acquaintance with Mr Archdeacon Churton, as an Editor and Biographer; and the learned and religious world will be no less pleased to find that his useful labours have been directed to the publication of the works of such a writer as Dr. Townson. These are now collected with care and accuracy, and illus trated by plates, an original portrait, and such other documents as may convey the character of this valuable Author with credit to the latest posterity. As Mr. Churton's Life of Dr. Townson is a copious and interesting article, we are tempted to eurich our Miscellany with an abridged sketch of it. The Rev. T. Townson was the eldest son of the Rev. John Townson, M.A. Rector of Much Lees, in Essex. He was born in 1715; and, having been instructed a-while by his excellent father, was placed under the Rev. Henry Nott, vicar of the neighbouring parish of Terling, where he was soon distinguished for quickness of apprehension and a most retentive memory. From Terling he was removed to the Free-school at Felsted, then under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Wyatt. On March 13, 1733, he was entered a Commoner of Christ Church, Oxford, where he had for his tutor the Rev. John Whitfield, M. A. afterwards Poetry Professor. In July 1735, he was elected Demy of Magdalen College, and two years afterwards Fellow of that Society, having in the intermediate year (Oct. 20) been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He commenced M. A. June 20, 1739; and was ordained Deacon, Dec. 20, 1741, and Priest Sept. 19, 1742, by Dr. Secker, Bishop of Oxford. Three days after this he set out for France with Mr. Dawkins, in company with Mr. Drake and Mr. Holdsworth; and, after a tour in Italy, Germany, Holland, &c. returned in 1745. "From the minutes of his journal, kept with regularity and marked with intelligence, an agreeable volume might easily have been formed, had he been disposed to attempt it. But of the accuracy of such books of travels as are usually given to the publick from a transient view of a country, he entertained no very favourable opinion; in support of which he occasionally related the following anecdote of his friend and fellow-traveller, Mr. Holdsworth. When this gentleman first went into Italy, he composed with some care an account of what he saw. On visiting the same country again, with his former journal in his hand, he altered the narrative, and contracted the substance of it. When he made the tour a third time, he burnt his papers." On his return to College he resumed the employment of tutor. Mr. Lovibond, the poet, and Lord Bagot, were two of his pupils. In 1746 he was presented to the living of Hatfield Peverel, in Essex. In 1749 he was senior Proctor of the University; and, resigning Hatfield was presented to the rectory of Blithfield, in Staffordshire, by Sir Walter Wagstaffe Bagot, bart. Soon after he quitted the proctorship he was admitted (June 15) to the degree of Bachelor in Divinity, aud the same summer Mr. Drake offered him the lower mediety of Malpas, in the county of Chester. After some reluctance, principallyarising from his unwillingness to leave Oxford, he accepted this offer, and was instituted Jan. 2, 1751. At the close of the year (Dec. 19) he quitted Oxford, and resigned his Fellowship the month following. He now divided his time between Malpas and Blithfield, which he held for a few years with his new preferment; and then, having resigned it, he inducted (Feb. 23, 1759) his worthy successor, the Rev. Walter Bagot, M. A. son of his esteemed friend and patron. In 1758, a very considerable accession of fortune came to him by the death of the Rev. William Barcroft, rector of Fairsted and vicar of Kelvedon, in Essex, who bequeathed him his library and the principal part of his fortune, amounting in the whole to more than eight thousand pounds. After mentioning these circumstances, his Biographer gives a long and very interesting account of his conduct as a Christian Pastor, which seems to have been in all respects most exemplary. The following passage implies a peculiarity of opinion, which we shall transcribe, because it appears to be placed by Mr. Churton in a fair light, and ably defended : "On a special occasion he composed and used the following prayer, by the desire of the sufferer: O almighty and everlasting God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ did give to his Apostles, and other Ministers of his word, power over unclean spirits, grant, O Lord, that if any evil spirits have afflicted this thy servant, they may be driven away from him, and be suffered no more to hurt or come near him. Hear, O Lord, our humble supplication in the name and through the mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.' "The hypothesis on which this proceeds, as he was well aware, though consonant to the sentiments of our best Divine, is not |