present times-To cut off the distempered bough, was your Project; mine strikes at the very root of all op❤ position.

It was in consequence of an attentive perusal of your Tracts, that I set myself to search for this grand Arcanum.-After ranging in vain through Grotius, Bur amaqui, and Puffendorf, I read thirteen books of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws, without making the desired discovery-But at length the fourteenth book rewarded all my toils-I need not refresh your memory with the particulars of his system upon the relation between climate and national character-It would, however, be great presumption to arrogate to myself the merit of a discovery, which I owe entirely to that profound Philosopher; it being from him that I have learnt to account for all variations of temper, by the operation of the atmosphere upon the fibres, and thence on the action, and re-action of the heart.

By him I have been taught, that the different proportions of heat or cold produce similar degrees of cowardice or courage-so that it solely depends upon the latitude, whether a nation is relaxed into Turkish slavery, or braced and hardened into English freedom -Upon this foundation My Project is raised-which I submit to your wisdom and candor-but, as most Projectors are of a sanguine temper, and, as I own, I entertain no doubt of the full success of my Project, L cannot conclude, without protesting against that Nolo Episcopari which accompanied yours-Nothing can be more opposite to my sentiments than your total abju❤

ration of all possible reward for your political labors -On the contrary, I hereby most solemnly engage to receive with much readiness, all honorable recompences which these my researches may lead the King, Lords, and Commons, in the depth of their wisdom to bestow on me.

In all other political tenets, believe me,

Reverend Sir,

Your most devoted Disciple,

The AUTHOR.

EPISTLE XIII.

Page 108. When in her Hardwicke's much-lov'd shade] The Seat of P. Powys, Esq. in Oxfordshire. 109. O Conway! whilst the public voice

Applauds our Sov'reign's well-weigh'd choice,] General Conway was at this time Secretary of State.

EPISTLE XIV.

Page 111. Mr. Mickle was the son of a Scottish elergyman on the confines of England, from whom he received all his Father could give him, a tolerable education. Indigence, however, was not the only impediment to his advancement, for both his appearance and manner were considerably against him; nor was it till late in life, and after he had been slighted by a noble Duke, from whom he might have expected protection, that Governor Johnson befriended him. His first adventure in life was on ship-board, but the indolence of his disposition disqualifying him for the

active service of the sea, he quitted that occupation, and commenced corrector of the press. In the latter capacity he was employed by Mr. Jackson of Oxford, and, till he commenced poet, was much noticed by Mr. Warton. Having derived some pecuniary advantages from his literary productions, he chose for his residence in a sequestered situation near. Oxford, whence he occasionally visited the University and London. On the appointment of Mr. Johnson to his command, he took Mr. Mickle with him as Secretary, and afterwards carried him to Lisbon. There, the attention he had bestowed on the Lusiad was acknowledged in the most flattering manner, and the literary honors of that country were liberally conferred upon him. Being now easy in his circumstances, Mr. Mickle indulged his love both of ease and of letters, but his enjoyment was of short duration. He was author of a tract or two in prose of no extraordinary merit, and of several little poems, beside his translation. His best production is Sir Martyn, which was at first entitled THE CONCUBINE, and deserves commendation not only for its moral tendency but also its poetic beauty. To the Epistle from Lisbon Mr. Mickle prefixed the advertisement subjoined.

ADVERTISEMENT.

Though no subjects are more proper for poetry than those which are founded upon historical retrospect, the author of such a poem lies under very particular disadvantages: every one can understand and relish, a work meerly fictitious, descriptive, or senti

mental; but a previous acquaintance, and even intimacy, with the history and characters upon which the other poem is founded, is absolutely necessary to do justice to its author. Without such previous knowledge, the ideas which he would convey pass unob. served, as in an unknown tongue; and the happiest allusion, if he is fortunate enough to attain any thing worthy of that name, is unfelt and unseen. Under these disadvantages the following epistle is presented to the public, whose indulgence and candor the au thor has already amply experienced.

In the Twelfth Century, Lisbon, and great part of Portugal and Spain, were in possession of the Moors. Alphonso, the first King of Portugal, having gained several victories over that people, was laying siege to Lisbon, when Robert, Duke of Gloucester, on his way to the Holy Land, appeared upon the coast of that kingdom. As the cause was the same, Robert was easily persuaded to make his first crusade in Portugal. He demanded that the storming of the Castle of Lisbon, situated on a considerable hill, and whose ruins shew it to have been of great strength, should be allotted to him, while Alphonso was to assail the walls and the city. Both Leaders were successful; and Alphonso, among the rewards which he bestowed upon the English, granted to those who were wounded, or unable to proceed to Palestine, the Castle of Almada, and the adjoining lands.

The river Tagus below and opposite to Lisbon, is -edged by steep grotesque rocks, particularly on the

south side. Those on the south are generally higher and much more magnificent and picturesque than the Cliffs of Dover. Upon one of the highest of these, and directly opposite to Lisbon, remain the stately ruins of the Castle of Almada.

In December, 1779, as the Author was wandering among these ruins, he was struck with the idea, and formed the plan of the following poem ; an idea which it may be allowed, was natural to the Translator of the LUSIAD, and the plan may, in some degree, be called a supplement to that work.

The following poem, except the corrections and a few lines, was written in Portugal. The descriptive parts are strictly local. The finest prospect of Lisbon and the Tagus, (which is there about four miles broad) is from Almada, which also commands the adjacent country, from the Rock of Cintra to the Castle and City of Palmela, an extent of above fifty miles. This magnificent view is completed by the extensive opening at the mouth of the Tagus, about ten miles below, which discovers the Atlantic Ocean.

113. Where Gama march'd his death-devoted band,] The expedition of Vasco de Gama, the discoverer of the East-Indies, was extremely unpopular, as it was esteemed impracticable. His embarkation is strongly marked by Osorius the historian. Gama, before he went on board, spent the night along with the crews of his squadron in the chapel of our Lady at Belem, on the spot where the noble Gothic church now stands adjoining the convent of St. Jerome.