Britannici Bibliothecario. Ex Prelo Joannis Nichols, Typis Jacksonianis." folio.

Jast, the University of Oxford, on a noble principle of much spirit, determined to take the business in hand. When the Dictionary was printing, Mr. Woide was desired to make some additions to it; but this not being proposed to him till more than half the work was printed off, he could extend his remarks to three letters only; and, to render the undertaking more useful, he added an index. He has, however, with incredible pains, copied the several materials, which are necessary for his purpose, from Manuscripts in the Bodleian, Parisian, and other Libraries; and we are told that these extensive supplements will be printed separately. It was intended to print the Grammar of Mr. Scholtz, in two 4to vols. immediately after the Dictionary, but it being found too voluminous, Mr. Woide has, very properly, abridged it; and the work, so far from losing by his abridgement, has gained very considerably; for Mr. Woide has carefully examined, corrected, and improved the Grammar, by means of Manuscripts unknown to Mr. Scholtz, of which he gives an account in the Preface prefixed to the Grammar. As to the Sahidic part, which is now to be found in this Grammar, we must not forget to mention that it was entirely supplied by Mr. Woide.-The late Mr. Swinton of Oxford intended to have added to this work a dissertation De Nummis Copto-Phoniciis, part of which is actually printed off; but the remainder cannot be found among his papers. Mr. Woide likewise informs us, that, beside some curious books in the dialect of Upper Egypt, there is a very ancient and valuable translation of the New Testament, of which he intends soon to give an account, and to publish the various readings; and we hope it will not be long before he fulfils his promise, made at the end of the Preface to the Graminar, to gratify the curiosity of the learned with his dissertation on the Egyptian language and its characters. We do not doubt but there will appear several things, in this branch of Literature, which are altogether new; and we join in opinion with a Right Reverend Prelate, who, in his Preface to his applauded Commentary on Isaiah, thinks that the Publick will be benefited by it*.”

In 1782, Mr. Woide was appointed an Assistant Librarian at the British Museum, at first in the department of Natural History; but very soon after in one more congenial to his studies, that of Printed Books. On the publication of the Alexandrian New Testament, his literary fame was incontestably fixed. He had before obtained the degree of D. D. from the University of Copenhagen; in 1786 was created D. C. L. at Oxford; and in 1788 was elected F. R. S. He was seized with an apoplectic fit, Mav 6, 1790, while at Sir Joseph Banks's conversatione; where every assistance was administered to him, and he was attended Monthly Review, vol. LX. pp. 1-3.

by

"An Account of the several Workhouses for employing and maintaining the Poor; setting forth the Rules by which they are governed, their great usefulness to the Publick, and particularly to the Parishes where they are erected; as also of several Charity Schools for Promoting Work and Labour" The Second Edition. 8vo.

"The Affectionate Father, a Sentimental Comedy; together with Essays on various Subjects. By James Nelson, Author of an Essay on the Government of Children." Svo.

by Dr. Carmichael Smith: but died next day, at his apartments in the British Museum. By his wife (who died Aug. 12, 1782) he left two daughters.

:

"This Work, which was first printed in 1725, takes in Country as well as London Workhouses of the latter that in Bishopsgate-street, St. Giles's Cripplegate, Whitechapel, in Ayliff-street, Wapping, Limehouse, Mile-End, Ratcliff, Greycoathospital in Westminster, St. Giles's and St. Martin's-in-theFields, and St. James's."

+ "The moral of this Comedy is worthy of the pen of a writer, who has at heart the true interest of his fellow-creatures. It teaches, in the words of the Author, that virtuous principles produce virtuous actions; and virtuous actions are the surest ground on which to build the happiness of society.' Mr. Nelson's scenes aim at the noblest end, and in a moral sense are superior to the wit and brilliancy of a Congreve. Whether the plot is conducted with that dramatic artifice which ensures success on the Stage, need not be made a question, when the piece is only offered to the Reader in his closet. This mode of conveying instruction is well chosen; the characters are produced in action; and may, therefore, be attended with a better effect than in the way of Essay-writing. On the other subjects not susceptible of the dramatic form, Mr. Nelson has given several dissertations, and made an useful miscellaneous collection ‡.” ́ The benevolent Author was an Apothecary in respectable practice in Red Lion Square, where he resided for more than half a century. He died, three days before completing his 84th year, April 19, 1794. Peculiar chearfulness and benevolence of heart marked the whole of his long and useful life; in the course of which he experienced many and severe trials; all which he bore with Christian fortitude and resignation. His treatise on the Government of Children, under the heads of Health, Manners, and Education, will ever remain a valuable legacy to posterity §. Monthly Review, vol. LXXIX. p. 85. § See Gent. Mag. vol. LXIV. p. 508.

A Me

"A Method to preserve Peach and Nectarine Trees from the Effects of the Mildew; and for destroying the Red Spider in Melon Frames, and other Insects, which infest Plants in Stoves, and Trees, Shrubs, &c. in the open Garden. By Robert Browne, Gardener to Sir Harbord Harbord, Bart. at Gunton in Norfolk." 12mo.

"Ancient Scottish Poems, never before in Print; but now published from the Manuscript Collections of Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington, Knight, Lord Privy Seal of Scotland, and a Senator of the College of Justice. Comprizing Pieces written from about 1420 till 1586. With large Notes, and a Glossary." [By Mr. Pinkerton.] 2 Vols. 8vo. "The Speeches of Mr. Wilkes in the House of Commons" 8vo.

1787.

"Remarks upon Dr. Priestley's Second Letters to the Archdeacon of St. Alban's, with Proofs of certain Facts asserted by the Archdeacon." 8vo.

* " It is but lately that this handsome edition of Mr. Wilkes's Speeches came to our hands. It contains, as the Preface assures us, a faithful transcript of the three volumes which the same Editor formerly printed in 12mo. with the addition of several Speeches since the period of the last publication, drawn from the same sources with equal diligence and attention.' The additional orations contain a considerable quantity of new matter, on the most interesting subjects. Among others, we have Mr. Wilkes's excellent Speech on the Bill for the further Relief of Protestant Dissenting Ministers and School-masters;' which is both argumentative and entertaining. The Dissenters, were, indeed, greatly obliged to their witty and sensible advocate on this occasion. The Editor has added Notes where he deemed some explanation necessary." Monthly Review, vol. LXXIX.p.67. -This is the only complete and correct Edition of Mr. Wilkes's Speeches; and it is now become Liber valdè rarissimus.

About this period the following Letter was addressed to Dr. Priestley by Mr. Gough, on the general complexion of his controversial writings:

"SIR, Unknown as you are to me except by your writings, I eannot but grieve to see Dr. Priestley engaging in controversy with every anonymous adversary that throws about his squibs in the

News

"Consilia*; or, Thoughts upon several Subjects; affectionately submitted to the Consideration of a Young Friend. By Samuel Birch. The Second Edition, corrected and enlarged." Svo.

Newspapers. Is the King of Israel come out to hunt a partridge in the mountains? After whom dost thou pursue? Is it not after a dead dog or a flea? Let that conscious pride which taught you to make your submissions to Dr. Blackstone, teach you to despise such antagonists as C. C. and the rest who make you fret like a Lion among mice or becs, and make you lose that temper and candor so essential to a champion for Liberty.-But a word in your ear from a friend! You are not the proper champion for the cause you have espoused. Liberty, civil and religious, is to be defended by Disquisitions as candid as free; not by flying pamphlets, whose price and number bear more proportion to the Author's indemnification than to the reader's information; whose partial representation betrays the writer's ignorance of the true state of the case in general; and whose hasty conclusions, like newspaper lies, only serve as pleas for a new publication to correct or retract them. Come and spend one winter among us in the Metropolis; and you will find the characters of your brethren, both Clergy and Laity, widely different from what you represent or experience them in the Province of York. But, if you do come, don't provoke the Publick to draw their characters by your palliations. No, Sir; keep your station of a Philosopher and a Philologist; and, while you candidly explore and set forth truth in these walks, for the sake of that liberty you contend for, do not give your congregation any more red-hot discourses from the pulpit, which your best friends would tremble to see from the press. With respect for your talents, and compassion for your temper, I am, &c. G."

*"We hope this lively young Author will not take it as a reflection (we assure him it is not meant so) if, by way of exordium, we tell our Readers that this is the second capacity in which he has very lately entertained us. His orations, in a senatorial capacity, in the Council-chamber at Guildhall, are remarkable for neatness and energy. His Consilia are now sub judice ♦ and Mr. Deputy Birch need not be ashamed of coming into Court. In his Preface he tells us, 'The following sheets, which were originally written for private perusal, are now offered to the Publick. The very flattering reception with which a candid Publick has honoured them is of itself a sufficient apology for obtruding a second impression. The Author, well aware that they lie open to the criticism of the world, hopes that the purity of his intention will secure him from the censures which otherwise the imperfection of them might occasion." Gent. Mag. LVIII. 480. † Of this ingenious Writer, who has since become an Alderman of London, and will most probably he Lord Mayor before this volume can be completed, see vol. VIII p. 155. "A Decla

6

"A Declaration of my last Sentiments on the different Doctrines of Religion*. By the late Pierre François Le Courayer, D. D. Author of the Dissertation on the Validity of English Ordinations,' and Translator of The History of the Council of Trent,' by Fra. Paolo Sarpi, and of The History of the Reformation,' by John Sleidan. Faithfully translated from the original French, just published from the MS. of the Author. To which is prefixed, an Account of Dr. Courayer." Small 8vo.

"Liber Quotidianus Contrarotulatoris Garderobe, Anno Regni Regis Edwardi I. Vicesimo Octavo, A. D. 1299 & 1300. Ex Codice MS. in Bibliothecâ suâ asservato Typis edidit Soc. Antiq. Londinensis," 4to.

* For Memoirs of Dr. Courayer, see vol. II. pp. 39-45; and for this posthumous work in particular, p. 44.

+ On this publication, Courayer thus addressed Dr. Ducarel: "DEAR DOCTOR, May 30, 1769.

"I thank you for the information you gave me of the reception of my last volume of Sleidan's Translation. I would have had the honour to present it myself to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury; but, being unknown to him, and being besides almost blind and deaf, I thought more proper to send it directly to the Library, especially after Miss Talbot told me that the two first volumes were left there. I will be obliged to you, however, if you be so good to present my respects to his Grace, and assure him, that, if it was not for my old age, and my deafness, I would be very glad to pay him my respects in person. I make use at the same time of this opportunity to remind you of our old acquaintance; and to assure you that I am, as much as ever, dear Doctor, your obedient servant, PET. FR. LE COURAYER."

I have, in my own small but valuable Topographical Library, beautifully written on fine vellum, a similar original Accomptbook of the same illustrious Monarch for the years 1304 and 1305.

§ This is one of those publications which will always do honour to a Society instituted for the very purpose of discovering and preserving such subjects. It is the Wardrobe Account of that great Prince, Edward I. for one of the most eventful years of his reign. It contains the establishment, both civil and military, of his 28th year, preserves the name and value of most articles then in use, and gives a daily account of every expence and proceeding; from whence facts may be collected whereon future inquirers into our national history may rely, as being grounded on the solid basis of certainty.-See a fuller account of this curious volume in Gent, Mag, vol. LVII. p. 700.

VOL. IX.

C

"History