Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

dertaking. Many of those who had been fo well pleased with the first were impatient to fee the fecond vo lume, which advances into a field more delicate and interesting; but the Doctor hath fhown the maturity of his judgment, as in all the reft, fo particularly in giving no performance to the public that might appear crude or hafty, or compofed before he had fully collected and digefted the materials. I venture with great fincerity to recommend this volume to the perufal of every curious reader who defires to know the ftate of Great Britain in a period which has hitherto been regarded as very obfcure, il fupplied with writers, and not poffeffed of a fingle one that deferves the appellation of a good one. It is wonderful what an inftructive, and even entertaining, book he Doctor has been able to compofe from fuch unpromifing materials: Tantum feries juncturaque pollet. When we fee thofe barbarous ages delineated by fo able a pen, we admire the oddnefs and fingularity of the manners, customs, and opinions, of the times, and feem to be introduced into a new world; but we are still more furprifed, as well as interested, when we reflect that those ftrange perfonages were the ancestors of the prefent inhabitants of this ifland. The object of an antiquary hath been commonly diftinguished from that of an hiftorian; for though the latter fhould enter into the province of the former, it is thought that it fhould only be quanto bafta, that is, fo far as is neceffary, without comprehending all the minnte difquifitions which gave fuch fupreme pleasure to the mere antiquary. Our learned author hath fully reconciled these two characters. His historical narratives are as full as thofe remote times feem to demand, and at the fame time his enquiries of the antiquarian kind omit nothing which can be an object of doubt or curiofity. The one as well as the other is deli

[ocr errors]

G VOL. XIV. No. 79.

vered with great perfpicuity, and no lefs propriety, which are the true ornaments of this kind of writing. All fuperfluous embellishments are avoided; and the reader will hardly find in our language any performance that unites together fo perfectly the two great points of entertainment and inftruction." -The gentleman who wrote this character died before the publication of the third volume.The progrefs of his work introduced Dr Henry to more extenfive patron age, and in particular to the notice and efteem of the earl of Mansfield. That venerable nobleman, who is so well entitled to the gratitude and admiration of his country, thought the merit of Dr Henry's hiftory fo confiderable, that, without any folicita tion, after the publication of the fourth volume he applied perfonally to his Majefty to bestow on the author fome mark of his royal favour. In confe quence of this, Dr Henry was informed by a letter from Lord Stormont, then fecretary of state, of his Majefty's intention to confer on him an annual penfion for 1 fe of 100 l. "confidering his diftinguished talents, and great literary merit, and the importance of the very ufeful and laborious work in which he was fo fuccefsfully engaged, as titles to his royal countenance and favour." The warrant was iffued on the 28th of May 1781; and his right to the penfion commenced from the 5th of April preceding. This pen fion he enjoyed till his death, and al ways confidered it as inferring a new obligation to perfevere fteadily in the profecution of his work. From the earl of Mansfield he received many other teftimonies of efteem both as a man and as an author, which he was often heard to mention with the most affectionate gratitude. The octavo edition of his hiftory, published in 1788, was infcribed to his Lordfship. The quarto edition had been dedicat ed to the king.

[ocr errors]

The property of the work had hi

therto

therto remained with himself. But thing remains unfinished but the two

in April 1786, when an octavo edition was intended, he conveyed the property to Meffrs Cadell and Strahan; referving to himself what ftill remained unfold of the quarto edition, which did not then exceed eighty-one complete fets. A few copies were afterwards printed of the volumes of which the first impreffion was exhaufted, to make up additional fets: and before the end of 1786, he fold the whole to Mrs Cadell and Stra. han. By the first tranfaction he was to receive 10col. and by the feCond betwixt 300l. and 400l. about 1400l. in all. Thefe fums may not be abfolutely exact, as they are fet down from memory; but there cannot be a mistake of any confequence on the one fide or the other-Dr Henry had kept very accurate accounts of the fales from the time of the original publication; and after his laft tranfaction with Meffrs Cadell and Strahan, he found that his real profits had amounted in whole to about 3300 pounds: a ftriking proof of the intrinfick merit of a work which had forced its way to the public efteem unprotected by the intereft of the bookfellers, and in fpite of the malignant oppofition with which the first volumes had to struggle.

[ocr errors]

fhort chapters on arts and manners and even for these he has left materials and authorities fo diftin&tly collected, that there can be no great difficulty in fupplying what is wanting. It is hoped that this volume may be ready for publication fome time in the winter or fpring 1792; and that it will be found intitled to the fame favorable reception from the public which has been given to the former volumes. It was written under the disadvantages of bad health and great weaknels of body. The tremulous motion of his hand had increafed fo as to render writing much more difficult to him than it had ever been: but the vigour of his mind and his ardour were unimpaired; and, independent of the geral character of his works, the pofthumous volume will be a lasting monument of the ftrength of his faculties, and of the literary induftry and perfeverance which ended only with his life.

Dr Henry's original plan extended from the invafion of Britain by the Romans to the prefent times. And men of literary curiofity mult regret that he has not lived to complete his defign; but he has certainly finished the most difficult parts of his fubject. The periods after the acceffion of Edward VI. afforded materials more ample, better digetted, and much more within the reach of common readers.

The profecution of his history had been Dr Heiny's favourite object for almost 30 years of his life. He had naturally a found conftitution, and a Till the fummer of 1790 he was more equal and larger portion of ani- able to purfue his ftudies, though not mal fpirits than is commonly poffeffed without interruptions. But at that time by literary men. But from the year he loft his health entirely; and, with 1785 his bodily ftrength was fenfibly a a conftitution quite worn out, died impaired. Notwithstanding this, he on the 24th of November of that year, perfifted steadily in preparing his fixth in the 3d year of his age.He was volume, which brings down the hiftory to the acceffion of Edward VI. and has left it in the hands of his execu-® tors almoft compleated. Scarcely any

LS.

buried in the church-yard of Polmont, where it is propofed to erect a monument to his memory..

An

[ocr errors]

An Interefting Dialogue between the late Dr Johnson, and Mrs Knowles the Quaker.

Mrs K.Tdfires her kind refpects

HY friend Jenny H

to thee. Doctor.

Dr J. To me!-tell me not of her! I hate the odious wench for her apofacy and it is you, Madam, who have feduced her from the Christian Religion.

Mrs K. This is a heavy charge, indeed. I mult beg leave to be heard in my own defence: and I entreat the attention of the prefent learned and candid company, defiring they will judge how far I am able to clear myfélf of fo cruel an accufation,

Dr J. (much difturbed at this unexpected challenge) faid, You are a woman, and I give you quarter.

Mrs K. I will not take quarter. There is no fex in fouls; and in the prefent caufe I fear not even Dr Johnfon himself.

("Bravo!" was repeated by the company, and filence enfued.)

Dr J. Well then, Madam, I pert in my charge, that you have feduced Mifs H from the Chriftian Religion.

been thy duty to have remained a

thou been born in Turkey, it had

Mahometan, notwithstanding Chriftian evidence might have wrought in thy mind the cleareft conviction; and if fo, then let me afk, how would thy confcience have anfwered for fuch obftinacy at the great and laft tribunal?

Dr. J. My confcience would not have been answerable.

Mrs K. Whofe then would?

Dr J. Why the State's, to be fure, In adhering to the Religion of the State as by law established, our inplicit chedience therein becomes our duty.

Mrs. K. A Nation er State, having a confcience, is a doctrine entirely new to me, and, indeed, a very curious piece of intelligence; for I have always understood that a Government, or State, is a creature oftime only; beyond which it diffolves, and becomes a nonentity. Now, Gentlemen, can your imaginations body forth this monftrous individual, or being called a State, compofed of millions of people? Can you behold it talking forth into the next world, loaded with

Mrs K. If thou really kneweft what were the principles of the Friends, thou would'it not fay fhe had depart- its mighty confcience, there to be reed from Christianity. But, waving that difcuffion for the prefent, I will take the liberty to obferve, that the had an undoubted right to examine and to change her educational tenets whenever fhe fuppofed the had found them erroneous; as an accountable creature, it was her duty fo to do.

13

Dr J. Phaw phawan ac countable creature!-girls accountable creatures !—It was her duty to remain with the Church wherein the was educated; he had no business to leave it.

Mrs K. What! not for that which The apprehended to be better? According to this rule, Doctor, hadst

warded, or punished, for the faith, opinions, and conduct, of its conftituent machines called men? Surely the teeming brain of Poetry never held up to the fancy fo wondrous a perfonage!

7

Dr. (when the laugh occafioned by this personification was fubfided, very angrily replied, I regard not what you fay as to that matter. I hate the arrogance of the wench, in f fuppofing herfelf a more competent judge of religion than thofe who educated her. She imitated you, no doubt; but he ought not to have prefumed to determine for herself in fo important an affair. G 2

Mrs

Mrs K. True, Doctor, I grant it, if, as thou femeft to imply, a wench of 20 years be not a moral agent. Dr J. I doubt it would be difficult to prove those deserve that character who turn Quakers.

Mrs K. This fevere retort, Doctor, induces me charitably to hope thou must be totally unacquainte with the principles of the people against whom thou art fo exceedingly prejudiced, and that thou fuppofeft us a fet of Infidels or Deifts.

Dr J. Certainly, I do think you little better than Deifts.

Mrs K. This is indeed ftrarge; 'tis paffing ftrange, that a man of such univerfal reading and research has not thought it at leaft expedient to look into the caufe of diffunt of a fociety fo long established, and fo confpicuoufly fingular!

Dr. Not I, indeed! I have not read Barclay's Apology; and for this plain reafon-I never thought it worth my while. You are upstart Sectaries, perhaps the best fubdued by a filent contempt.

(Here the Doctor grew very angry, ftill more fo at the space of time the Gentlemen infifted on allowing his antagonift wherein to make her defence, and his impatience excited one of the company, in a whisper, to say, faw this mighty lion to chafed before!")

"I never

The Doctor again repeated, that he did not think the Quakers deferved the name of Chriftians.

Mrs K. Give me leave then to endeavour to convince thee of thy error, which I will do by making before thee, and this refpectable company, a confeffion of our faith. Creeds, or confeffions of faith, are admitted by all to be the standard whereby we judge of every denomination of profeffors.

(To this, every one prefent agreed; and even the Do&tor grumbled out his affent.)

Mrs K. Well then, I take upon me to declare, that the people called Qu kers do verily believe in the Holy Scriptures, and rejoice with the moit full and reverential acceptance of the divine history of facts, as recorded in the New Teftament. That we, confequently, fully believe those hiftorical articles fummed up in what is called the Apostles Creed, with these two exceptions only, to wit, our Saviour's defcent into Hell, and the refurrection of the body. Thefe myfteries we humbly leave jut as they ftand in the holy text, there being, from that ground, no authority for fuch affertion as is drawn up in the Creed. And now, Doctor, canit thou still deny to us the honourable title of Christians?

Mrs K. This reminds me of the language of the Rabbies of old, when their Hierarchy was alarmed by the increafing influence, force, and fimplicity, of dawning truth, in their high day of worldly deminion. We meckly truft, cur principles ftand en the fame folid foundation of fimple truth, and we invite the acuteft inveftigation. The reafon thou giveft for not having read Barclay's Apology is furely a very improper one for a inan whom the world locks up to as a Moral Philofopher of the first rank; a teacher from whom they think they have a right to expect much informa- Dr. Well!-I muft own I did tion. To this expecting, enquiring not at all fuppofe you had fo much to world, how can Dr Johnfon acquit fay for yourfelves. However, I canhimself for remaining unacquainted not forgive that little flut, for prefumwith a book tranflated into five or fixing to take upon herfelf as he has different languages, and which has done. been admitted into the libraries of almoft every Court and Univerfity in Christendom!

Mrs K. I hope, Doctor, thou wilt not remain unforgiving; and that you will renew your friendship, and joy

fully,

gions where Pride and Prejudice can

fully meet at laft in thofe bright re- pleasantly received, that the Doctor joined in the laugh; bis fpleen was difSipated; he took his coffee, and became, for the remainder of the evening, very chearful and entertaining.)

never enter!.

Dr J. Meet her! I never defire to meet fools any where.

(This farcaftic turn of wit was fo

On the Pleasures of elegant Society; from the Loiterer, a periodical Work.

HEN, in compofing a loiterer, or in following any other ftudies, I have infenfibly fallen into more intenfe thought than is congenial to my fyftem, I find certain and immediate relief in the converfation of a few friends, whom many fucceffive years have gradually placed at my fide, and in whom commanding talents are fo tempered by complying manners, that if at any time I feel more than ordinary felf-complacency, it is when I reflect that I have been able to draw round me fuch a circle: living in rivalthip without enmity, and familiarity without distaste, we mutually derive from conversation affiftance in Audy, and delight in relaxation.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

6

ed by a fweet and voluble utterance, and fufficiently pointed by a piercing eye?

[ocr errors]

7

I

But though converfation may be generally a fource of pleafure, and rarely of pain, it not unfrequently wearies and offends by impertinence. In many inftances, indeed, the company can ftifle or promote a topic, filence or encourage a fpeaker, at will; but where fuperiority, by age or fortune, fanctions prolixity or infipidity, the remedy is not always practicable, and if one man will expofe himself, the reft muft fubmit to look on. fhall therefore recall to my r to my readers a few characters, which probably every one of them has met and cordemned; in which he who is free from their errors may fe his danger and avoid it; and he who has inadvertently fallen into them may perceive his folly and reform. And it is certainly more defirable that a man should discover his own want of wisdom, than that others fhould be reduced to the neceffity of informing him that he is a fool.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

ཀ ། · ཀ

Molt of my readers of both fexes have also their little circles, in which they enjoy the fatisfaction of talking and being talked to; and however they may be divided which affords moit pleasure, there are few but, will agree, that little can exift where they are precluded from both. I am inclined to believe that the moft converfible are, if not the most happy, yet In the circles of men, few charac the leaft unhappy members of fociety; ters are more frequent than one who for grief, fear, and anxiety, are ab- faftens on fome ftranger who happens stracted and filent; but joy, hope, and to have vifited or to refide in his contentment, have an ear open to eve- neighbourhood, with whom he runs ry tale, and a tongue ready to fill eve-over a catalogue of names, and a regiry pause. fter of minute circumstances, unintelligible to others, and unimportant to humfelf. Enumerating every perfon with whom he has dined or danced, he details their concerns without intereft, and characterifes them without difcrimination. Unwearied in inqui

Perhaps the pleasure of converfation is often exclufive of any actual wit or fenfe contained it; for who but has liftened with pleasure to the bewitching nothings of a pretty woman, and thought her periods fufficiently round

ནམ

TOW

« AnteriorContinuar »