reach, it is difficult for me to answer it as specifically as I should wish, I can, however, have no hesitation in saying, that I have a perfect recollection of your having afforded most important information upon the subject of forming a Chinese Settlement at Trinidad; and as I am inclined to think that Copies of the Papers communicated by you were referred to the Commissioners appointed to conduct the affairs of that Island, I have no doubt the originals would be produced, upon your application to the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department. You will allow me to add, that it must always give me pleasure to do justice to the merit of any individual who may have exerted himself in the public service; and that I remain Yours, &c. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. W. Layman, Esq." The foregoing Letter of Lord Buckinghamshire's, although handsomely expressed, yet not containing a specific answer, the Writer addressed a similar inquiry to Sir Samuel Hood, who fully and satisfactorily replied: Centaur, Sept. 3, 1806. "I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter on the subject of a Plan you submitted to Government in 1802 for the Cultivation of Trinidad by Chinese, which was referred by the Secretary of State to the then Commissioners in England for that Island; in consequence of which, you met us by appointment at the Treasury; and that you were informed by the Under Secretary of State that the execution of the measure only waited an Official Report of the Commissioners. The termination of the Commission certainly prevented the Report; and, as you state it is unknown to his Majesty's pre sent Ministers in whom the idea first originated, I have great pleasure in telling you, I always understood the Plan of introducing Chinese into the West Indies was first suggested by you, and your Plan was referred to the Commissioners at Trinidad whilst I was one of them; and I must, Sir, do you the justice to say, I never heard of any other person's. (Signed) Captain Layman, R. N." Which fact was very candidly corroborated by the present Chancellor of the Exchequer. SAM. HOOD. Dec. 11, 1806. Great George-Street, "I have been favoured with your Letter of yesterday; and beg leave to state in answer, that I have no difficulty in confirming the fact of your having made the first proposition to Government, which came within my knowledge, for conveying Chinese labourers to the West Indies.-You were introduced to me, as you state, by Mr. Wilson, and I believe by a letter from Lord Nelson (though I am not sure of the time when I received it); and the proposition seemed to me so deserving of attention, that I immediately mentioned it to Mr. Sullivan. Whether Mr. M'Queen's employment was in consequence of your suggestions, or arose from any other cause, is not within my knowledge; nor do I ever recollect hearing of it, until it appeared, by a communication to the Board of Trade last Summer, that a great progress had been made in the execution of the plan. -So far as this testimony can be of service to you, you are at perfect liberty to use it; and I shall at all times be ready to confirm it, as a Member of the Committee of Council, with any additional circumstances which may come to my recollection. N. VANSITTART. Captain Layman, R. N." It now only remains to guard the publick against being prejudiced or misled in their judgments against the measure by the event of the experiment which has already been made, of importing a cargo of Chinese into Trinidad. A concerted plan for the discouragement of the present project could not have been laid down more likely to have defeated the object, than the mistaken and ill-judged mauner in which it was attempted to be put in execution. It has already been shewn that to the success of this undertaking several things are absolutely necessary. Ist, That the intended Colonists should be properly selected, as to their habits and acquirements, with a view to their future employments.-2d, That a proper proportion of women should be Procured to insure the means of increase.-3d, That they should not be separated from each other on their arrival in the West Indies, but settled on the same spot, aud by that means be enabled to retain their own manners, customs, civil regulations, and police, without which it would be almost impossible to preserve their culiar habits, which fit them so admirably for the purposes proposed. pe A short review of the manner in which these people were procured and employed will serve to shew how far these necessary points were attended to., It was whilst the Writer's original suggestions were, as he was given to understand, under the consideration of Government, that, without aby any communication to him, a private agent, of the name of M'Queen, was sent to Prince of Wales's Island, with orders founded upon those suggestions, for the procuring a number of Chinese cultivators, and sending them to Trinidad: the person employed, it seems, remained at Prince of 'Wales's Island.- But by means of a Portuguese agent at Macao, a number of Lazzaroni-men (without a single female) were procured from thence, having nothing of Chinese about them but the name, and obtained from the diseased and profligate refuse of the indolent and degraded population of a provincial Portuguese sea-port town, unaccustomed to the habits of their industrious countrymen, and total strangers to the qualifications requisite for their future employments in the West Indies. These people were conveyed from Macao to Prince of Wales's Island in a Portuguese vessel, aud from thence were sent to Bengal, where they were obliged to remain till they were cured of the leprosy and other diseases which they had contracted, and from thence were embarked on the third voyage (which is a strong proof that distance and even a number of embarkations were no obstacle to them) in the Fortitude, a ship freighted for 75007.*, to carry them, with a contraband cargo of piece goods, to Trinidad, where the ship and cargo were seized by our cruizers on that station. On the landing of these people, no pre-concerted plan having been arranged by Government for their establishment and employment, instead of being settled together, so as to form one Colony (which, in consequence of their being without women, was scarcely practicable †) they were hawked and distributed about to various Planters, who were to engage to pay them at the rate of six dollars per month (exclusive of provisions) without any inducement or excitement to industry by making their re muneration depend upon the produce of their labour. Thus, not united in one community, total strangers in a foreign land, without females, and consequently without any domestic establishments-freed from every restraint to which they might before have been accustomed as to their moral and civil conduct, and not only without any excitement to industry, but with every inducement to idleness and dissipation, it would have been little short of miraculous, if men, even the most judiciously selected for their necessary habits and qualifications, had not, under these circumstances, disappointed the hopes which might have been formed of them. Still more wonderful would it have been, if the people above described, under such circumstances, had not given occasion to the Planters, already deeply prejudiced in favour of the Slave system, to condemn the experiment, and to judge of the Chinese character from this ill-selected and illmanaged assortment ‡. It is most anxiously to be hoped that this premature and abortive attempt will have no other effect upon the Government, and intelligent and respectable West India Proprietors, than to operate as a caution against committing those errors, which must obviously tend to render every effort towards the attainment of so desirable an object unsuccessful: and that those, who are most interested in the question, may not be discouraged by trifling considerations from pursuing a plan which promises such very material benefits. W. LAYMAN. £.7,500 for 193 Chinese (which was the number landed in Trinidad) is near £.40 for the conveyance of each person from Bengal only. So far from an arrangement being made with these people to encourage a spirit of colonization, they were engaged to the Planters for the short period of six months only; and, by their original agreement, were to have the option of returning to China, at the expence of Government, after the expiration of twelve months; which they all did. This circumstance, although not insurmountable, increases the obstacle to fresh importation. There was an instance of a few of a better description which were engaged at Prince of Wales's Island, and which appear to have been those employed by Mr. Holmes, then Secretary at Trinidad, and now a Member of the House of Commons; and who declared in evidence before the Committee, That "he, on several occasions, put 20 Chinese in one cane-field, at Trinidad, and 40 (sometimes 45) Negroes in another, and always found the Chinese had finished their task sooner than the Negroes. They were also superior to Negroes in clearing wood-land; and he stated that "a Chinese would find subsistence where a Negro would starve.” REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. UR conjecture (Vol. LXXXIII. i. 639.) was well founded: the classical Pupil of Dr. Barnard is now apparent. "To Frances Countess of Londonderry," the Hon. Mr. Justice Hardinge now inscribes his Ode, as an affectionate admirer of her Genius and Virtues, who takes pride in recording their Friendship as a title of honour to his name." Referring to our former Volume for a specimen of this excellent Poem, we shall here transcribe the worthy Author's very animated Preface, as congenial to the Charge printed in our Magazine for April last, p. 402. "The following Ode was written soon after Napoleon's precipitate return from bis Russian campaign. That repulse, which no lapse of time will obliterate from the annals of the world, made him a desperate calculator.-The adversity of depraved Ambition has no passive courage in its gift.-Such a Tyrant, with all his talents,-when Fortune had begun to disown him, and self-disarmed by the fever of his passions, was not likely to be a match for the liberties of Europe, in battle-array against him.-It was the patriot valour, and the devoted enthusiasm, of the Russian Chiefs, animated by their Sovereign, that called that host into the field. But no vision of hope, when this Ode was writteu, could have reached 'the day-spring from on high,' which has illuminated every scene around us.-No solitary Muse could have anticipated the signs and wonders' which a miracle of the Arm unseen has interposed, -an Arm, which has accomplished, in a few little months,' a deliverance of nations, too signal to have been the work of man alone. Amongst the seCondary causes, however, to which these blessings may be ascribed, and with no invidious comparisons in the dubia cena' of that feast which public virtue has laid before us, where is now the Citizen of the human race, who can with-hold the allegiance of his heart from Alexander-the inspired Sovereign of the Russian Chiefs?-This heaven-born Hero is of the most elevated character that heroism ever has reached. He has made victory the angel of peace, and power a sacrifice to liberty;--has captivated enemies, by the charm of GENT. MAG. July, 1814. his deportment, and has moralized the world by the example of his virtues. May his pre-eminent figure in this aweful change! and may the new style of his victories, be ever consecrated in the memory of Kings,-of Nations,-and of Men!" The classical and very appropriate Notes on "The Russian Chiefs" are considerably enlarged; and one of them is so congenial to our own sentiments, that we cannot pass it over. "I should think," says the respectable Judge, "I had not written this fugitive Poem in vain, if it could induce me to circulate the enthusiasm, which I felt in admiring the deep, and the sound, as well as brilliant illustration of Liberty in Mr. Canning's address to his constituents at Liverpool. He has elevated the character of that natural sen timent, without which, life is an oppression, by redeeming it from the contracted view of it which modern patriots have entertained. He gives it, and with philosophical accuracy, a dignified controul over all shades of difference in the municipal constitutions of Government. It is in the words of Cicero (his model lex; non alia Rome, alia Athenis.'-If in eloquence)- Non scripta, sed nata call it the genuine charter of the mind I bad the courage to define it, I would against all oppression." 2. The Words of the most Favourite Pieces performed at the Glee Club, the Catch Club, and other Public Societies. Compiled by Richard Clark, (late of St. George's Free Chapel, Windsor), Deputy at the Three Choirs in London, and Secretary to the Glee Club. 8vo. pp. lvi. and 436. Printed for the Editor; and sold by all the Booksellers. THE Musical World, and the Publick in general, are much indebted to Mr. Clark, for the skill and assiduity displayed in this elegant Collection; and for the intelligent and modest Preface by which it is introduced. "Should the Work," he says, "reach another Edition, he bopes to avail himself of the corrections of his friends, and to render it still more That it will speedily acceptable.". reach another Edition, we have little doubt; and we hope that the assistance so respectfully solicited will.be fully and candidly imparted. "Difference "Difference of opinion having prevailed in the musical world respecting the composition of the popular air, and words, of God save the King*: some account of both may not be uninteresting. Such as strikes the Editor as worthy of consideration is submitted, and in the language of George Saville Carey, by whom it is given, in vindication of his father, for whom he claims the honour of this national song, and to which, it would seem, that he is justly entitled. 'Henry Carey was the natural son of George Saville, Marquis of Halifax, from whom, and from his family, he received a handsome annuity to the time of his death. It is said there were private reasons why he did not retain the name of Saville himself, though he annexed it to the Christian names of all the male part of his own family. He was a musician by profession, and one of the lower order of poets. His first preceptor in music was Olaus Westeinson Linnet, a German; he received further instructions from Roseingrave; and, lastly, was in some sort a disciple of Geminiani. Being but slenderly accomplished in his art, his chief employ ment was teaching at Boarding-schools, and among people of middling rank in private families. Though he had but Tittle skill in music, he had a prolific invention; and very early in his life distinguished himself by the composition of songs, being the author both of the words and the music. One of these, beginning with "Of all the girls that are so smart,' is said to have pleased Mr. Addison so much, that he more than once vouchsafed to commend it. But the most successful effort in his art was the celebrated popular song of God save great George our King' of which both the words and melody were by 'him; the bass being the composition of Mr. John Smith. This was intended as part of a birth-day ode. He was also the principal projector of the fund for decayed musicians, their widows, and children. In a fit of despair, he laid violent hands upon himself, on the 4th of October, 1744, at his house in Warner Street, Coldhath-fields; and, by means of a halter, put a period to a life which had been led without reproach, being upwards of eighty years of age. As a musician (Sir John Hawkins observes) Carey seems to have been of the first of the lowest rank; and as a poet, the last of that class of which D'Urfey was the first +. Henry Carey composed the popular song • God save great George our King; but, although he had much genius for music, he was ignorant of the rules of composition, and applied to Smith to adapt or alter the bass to the air. As it has been whispered abroad, nay, even given in print, that an annuity of two hundred pounds per annum had been bestowed on me, in consequence of my father being the author of God save great George our King,' I think it a duty incumbent on me to acquaint the world, that no such consideration has ever yet transpired; yet I must beg that my readers will give me leave to introduce a few lines on this subject. In spite of all literary cavit and conjectural assertions, there has not yet appeared one identity to invalidate the truth of my father's being the author of the above important song; some have given the music to Handel, others to Purcell some have signified that it was produced in the time of Charles I.; others in that of James I.; and some, in their slumbers, have dreamed that it made its appearance in the reign of Henry VIII. It might as well have been carried still further back, to the reign of Saul, or that of Solomon, the son of David. I have heard the late Mr. Pearce Galliard, an able counsellor in the law, and a colleague of my father, who died some years ago at Southampton, assert, timeafter time, that my father was the author of God save the King; that it was produced in the year forty-five and six Another friend presented it to me in its original state, bound up with a collection of songs for two and three voices, set to music by Mr. Handel, Dr. Blow, Mr. Leveridge, Dr. Greene, Mr. Eccles, Mr. Lampe, Daniel Purcell, Mr. Corfe, and Henry Carey; first printed in the year 1750, for John Johnson, op* As to Carey's claim to the honour of having composed this great national air, which his son frequently brought forward, Dr. Burney is of opinion that it was of prior date, written for James II. while the Prince of Orange was hovering over the coast; and when the latter became King, was forgot. It is certain that in 1745, when Dr. Arne harmonized it for Drury-lane Theatre, and Dr. Burney for Covent garden, the original Author of the melody was wholly unknown. Chalers's Biog. Dict, vol. VI. p. 245; and see our vol. LXV. p. 544. Edit, + See Biographia Dramatica, originally compiled, to the year 1764, by David Erskine Baker; continued thence, to 1782, by Isaac Reed, F. A. S. and brought down to the end of November 1811, by Mr. Stephen Jones. See Anecdotes of John Christopher Smith, "Handel's Amanuensis," page 43, by the Rev. Mr. Archdeacon Coxe.. But, for the satisfaction of my readers, God save great George our King, And make them fall: Thy choicest gifts in store, God save the King!' commander of great and eminent ability, employed by our Government to repel the factious spirit of the Caledonians, who were hostile to this country at that time, and invaded many of the Northern parts of this Island. The following letter of the ingenious Dr. Harington, of Bath, strongly corroborates the authenticity of my father's being the author of the song in question. Hearing from Mr. Sale, during my stay at Windsor, that the Doctor was in possession of this piece of information, I entreated him to make it known to me, which he politely and readily acquiesced in, saying ‹ Sir, The anecdote you mention respect ing your father being the author and composer of the words and melody of God save great George our King, is certainly true; that most respectable gentleman Mr. Smith, my worthy friend and patient, has often told me what follows; viz. That your father came to him with the words and music, desiring him to correct the bass, which Mr. Smith told him was not proper; and at your father's request he wrote down another in correct harmony. Smith, to whom I read your letter this day, the 13th of June, repeated the same again. His advanced age and present infirmity render him incapable of writing, or desiring to be written to; but, on his authority, I pledge myself for the truth. Should this information prove in the least advantageous to yourself, it will afford the most sincere satisfaction and pleasure to, Mr. Sir, Your most obedient Servant, W. HARINGton. Bath, June 13, 1795. 'P. S. My curiosity was often raised to enquire after the author, before Mr. Smith related the above; and I was often misinformed. Mr. Smith says, he understood your father intended this air as part of a birth-day ode, or somewhat of that kind; however this might be, no Laureat or composer has furnished the world with any production more complimentary or more popular, which must ever be the consequence of concise elegance and natural simplicity.' "This Mr. John Smith was friend and assistant to Mr. Handel many years ||." Journey to Windsor. * See Balnea, or George Saville Carey's + In the Gentleman's Magazine is the original tune, which J. C. Smith complains of, and altered at Carey's request. This verse was added and sung on the defeat of the Scotch Rebels, 1745. This Stanza was written by Mr. Sheridan, during the performance of the evening, on account of his Majesty having been shot at by James Hadfield, a maniac, at Druny-Lane Theatre, on the 15th of May, 1800. It gave peculiar pleasure, and was vociferously encored by the whole audience. Schmidt was born 112, at Anspach, in Franconia, came to England with Handel, who was born February 24, 1686, at Halle, in Upper Saxony. "Surely |