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mixing, alloying, or finding the Value of Bullion, under all its various Denominations of Gold, Silver,

vol. LIX. p. 101. In return, I beg to know how much new matter Mr. Travis has added, from his own stock, errors excepted? On the third I observe, that you seem already to have had enough of the controversy. Such too seems to have been Mr. Porson's opinion, when he took the subject out of your Miscellany to treat it in a more convenient place and manner. It is difficult to discuss such a question properly with the interruptions which your plan renders necessary. I submit it, therefore, to your Friend, whether he would not do better to lick that mass of knowledge, with which his mind teems, into the form of a pamphlet, than to extract it by piecemeal at monthly intervals. Whether this gentleman be a new-dubbed Knight, who sleeps on brainbles till he kills his man, or the doughty Champion himself, who wears his beaver down lest his person should be known, and his challenge refused, I am willing to enter the lists with him on the fulfilment of one indispensable previous condition. I believe that I shall do no injustice to Mr. Travis and your Friend (if they are two), by supposing that they esteem the defence of R. Stephens, as newly furbished up, to be the brightest piece of armour in the Hero's panoplia dogmatica." After discussing some supposed errors in the Archdeacon's collations, Mr. Porson concludes, "It is diverting enough to hear Mr. Travis and his myrmidons exclaim against the want of candour and liberality in their opponents. They always bring to my mind the story of the convict, who complained bitterly of the unpolite behaviour of the Judge in condemning him. URBANO AMICIOR." The Archdeacon's rejoinder thus ends the controversy: “Amicior may try to compose himself as to any apprehended dispute with me. I mean nothing less than to enter into any controversy with him. But I cannot so easily speak peace to him on another point. He feels himself mortified, as well as irritated, that Mr. Archdeacon Travis has completely vindicated the memory of R. Stephens, and, in so doing, has placed an insurmountable obstacle in the way of the opponents of the verse 1 John, v. 7. The pungency of those feelings will increase with time; for that vindication will bear the test of the most rigid examination. Amicior wishes, however, to get rid of this odious vindication, by alleging, that the author of it (if I understand him aright) has misunderstood or misinterpreted the marginal notes of R. Stephens in two verses, viz. ix. 2, and xix. 28, of St. Matthew. If this objection should be admitted, it would not profit the cause which he espouses. But it will not be admitted. The former of these instances is a mere error of the press in a single figure. For Matt. ix. 2, read ix. 5, and this part of the objection is wholly done away. How very near to drowning, Mr. Urban, must he be who catches at a twig like this!" [The VOL. IX.

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and Parting. Also, an Appendix, in which are contained Abstracts of all the Acts of Parliament now in force, relating to Gold and Silver; and a View of all the Changes in their respective Standards. By W. J. Alldridge." Svo.

"The History and Antiquities of Claybrook†, in the County of Leicester, including the Chapelries

other marginal note is copied at length, and vindicated in Gent. Mag. LXIV. 788.]—" In the precipitation, as it seems, of a perturbed mind, Amicior calls for the Archdeacon's whole collation. Whatever may be the wishes of the Learned World in general on the subject, it was hardly to be expected that Amicior would stand foremost in the requisition. The discordances, one hundred and thirty, and upwards, which he specially stated (p. 242), being more than sufficient to bend all opposition to the ground, it seems not to be an over-wise act in Amicior to call for the remainder of the nineteen hundred discordances, to oppress him still more severely. I proceed now, Mr. Urban, to comply with the request made in your Index Indicatorius, p. 552, but not in the manner which Amicior seems to fear and deprecate; for I intend my Breviate to deserve its name, by confining it within the bounds of the present sheet." [See them in Gent. Mag. LXIV. 789.]—“I could have added, Mr. Urban, to this Breviate; but it would have been an unnecessary labour. The references already made shew the general tenor and design of the work to which they apply. It will endure; and will buoy up, on its strong wing, the acrimonious, but flimsy, labours of Mr. Professor Porson. A FRIEND TO MR. URBAN."

"We understand this addition to our Local Topography is the work of one of Mr. Nichols's excellent assistants in his grand plan of the History of Leicestershire. Mr. Macaulay has vindicated the character of an Antiquary from the reproaches cast on it in the unrelieved hours of the fashionable circle, as well as from the disapprobation of persons of real learning and good sense. The Parochial Histories of Hawsted and Kiddington are sufficient specimens how well such works are capable of being conducted; and though this mode of handling them may be too diffuse for a general history, even that may be treated in a more entertaining and readable manner than has been too often practised.-Old Justice Byrd and Parson Paul are two eminent characters among the inhabitants of Claybrook, in the 17th and 18th centuries; to whom may be added John Blockley, an ingenious mechanick, maker of musical wind-instruments; and John Atkins, who, from a faithful Volunteer against the Rebels to his King and Country, in 1745, is become a successful campaigner against rats, mice, and such small geer'." Gent. Mag. vol. LXI. p. 360.

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of Wibtoft and Little Wigston, and the Hamlets of Bittesby and Ullesthorpe. By the Rev. Aulay Macaulay *, M. A.

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* Son of the Rev. John Macaulay, Minister of the Church and Parish of Cardross in Dumbartonshire. He was educated at the University of Glasgow, where he took the degree of M. A. in 1778, before he was 20 years of age. During his residence at the University, he wrote many Essays, moral and literary, in Ruddiman's Weekly Magazine, under the signature of Academicus. Soon after taking his Degree, he accepted an invitation from the late Joseph Foster Barham, Esq. of Bedford, (Father of the M. P. of the same name) to superintend the education of his Sons. In the Town of Bedford, he spent three years most happily, in uninterrupted friendship with Mr. Barham's family, and in literary pursuits. During this period of his life he published Essays on various subjects of Taste and Criticism, 1780," 8vo. "Two Discourses on Sovereign Power and Liberty of Conscience, translated from the Latin of Professor Noodt of Leyden, with Notes and Illustrations, 1781," Svo. which received the approbation of the Literary Journals of the day. On the expiration of his engagements at Bedford, he entered into Orders, and took the Curacy of Claybrook in Leicestershire, where he commenced residence in August 1781, and where he spent many happy years, dividing his time between the duties of the pastoral care, the pursuits of Literature, and the enjoyments of social life. And here I may be allowed to observe, from my personal knowledge of the neighbourhood, that his exemplary attention to the clerical duties are still affectionately remembered by many of the numerous inhabitants of Claybrook. In 1785 Mr. Macaulay was admitted of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge; and continued a Member of that Society, till he was of standing to take a B. D. Degree; the expence of which he thought it needless to incur till better prospects might open to his view.-To his unremitting exertions I was indebted for a variety of communications in the progress of my " History of Leicestershire;" particularly for an entire transcript by himself from an original History of the Family of Feilding, preserved in the Library at Nuneham.-A short extract or two from his much-esteemed correspondence will demonstrate his friendly attention.

"DEAR SIR,

Claybrook, Jan. 5, 1789. "Lest you should think me dilatory, I write to acquaint you that the proofs would have been returned to you ere now, had it not been for the accession of fresh materials. The history of the Wigley family in Ullesthorpe naturally connects itself with that of a family of the name of Smith, who resided at Frolesworth, a neighbouring Village; one of whom was Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Scotland about the beginning of the 18th century, and founded a noble charity in Frolesworth, of which G 2 I mean

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Episcopal Opinions on the Test and Corporation Acts, delivered in the House of Peers, in December 1718, by the Archbishops Wake and Dawes,

I mean to give a particular account. Mr. Smith, of Normanton in this County, has promised to look over a number of old papers, and to supply me with all the information he can procure respecting the Wigleys and the Lord Chief Baron. I remain, dear Sir, your faithful humble servant, A. MACAULAY." Claybrook, July 29, 1789.

"DEAR SIR, "I hope to send you, in the course of a few days, Claybrook, and the fruits of our last researches, corrected, with considerable additions. The proofs came safe to hand; as did, likewise, Lewis's Wicliffe, for which I return you many thanks. I am obliged to you for your intelligence respecting Melancthon. A. M."

Mr. Macaulay was presented to the Rectory of Frolesworth in 1789; which he resigned in 1790. In the Autumn of 1793 he made a Tour through South Holland and the Netherlands; of which he gave a very curious and entertaining detail in Gent. Mag. vol. LXIII. and several subsequent Volumes. In 1794 he attended a son of Sir Walter Farquhar, as Tutor and Travelling Companion, into Germany; where he was in a very particular manner noticed at the Court of the late Duke of Brunswick, at whose table he was a frequent and familiar guest; and was very highly esteemed by the late Duchess. During his residence there, he had the honour of instructing their illustrious Daughter, the present Princess of Wales, in the rudiments of the English Language; and long after her Royal Highness's arrival in this Kingdom, Mr. Macaulay was distinguished by repeated proofs of grateful recollection; as he was afterwards by the good old Duchess, on her return to this her native country. But, unfortunately, the friendships of the Great do not always lead to their patronage. Mr. Macaulay was of too lofty and independent a spirit to solicit preferment; and it very rarely flows spontaneously on mere merit. Meanwhile he was presented, in 1796, to the Vicarage of Rothley in Leicestershire, by Thomas Babington, Esq. the worthy and philanthropic Member for the Borough of Leicester, who was united in marriage to Jean, a sister of Mr. Macaulay. This Vicarage, though not of any great pecuniary value, is somewhat of an Ecclesiastical Dignity. Mr. Babington, as proprietor of Rothley Temple, an antient Preceptory of the Knights Templars, is Lord of the Manor and Soke of Rothley; which not only extends through the Lordships of Rothley and Rothley Temple, and the Chapelries of Caldwell, Gaddesby, Grimston, Keame, Mountsorell superior, Wartnaby, and Wykeham, but to several other parts of the County, in which it is the most extensive Manor. It had antiently, and still enjoys, a peculiar jurisdiction in matters ecclesiastical, exempt and free from all other Ecclesiastical Courts. It has the privilege also of marrying within

itself,

the Bishops Hoadly, Smalridge, Willis, Gibson, Robinson, Atterbury, Kennett, and Gastrell; with

itself, the Commissary, who derives his authority from the Lord of the Manor, granting licence; and is exempt from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Diocese; who still, however, grants institution to the Vicarage. In a record cited in p. 952 of the "History of Leicestershire," mention is made of a pension to the Archdeacon, which by other instruments appears to be for an exemption from jurisdiction. But Mr. Macaulay shall here gratefully speak for himself:

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"MY DEAR FRIEND,

Claybrook, July 18, 1796. am sure you will be glad to hear that Fortune begins to smile upon me. Respexit tamen, et longo post tempore venit.-Mr. Babington has offered me a Presentation to the Living of Rothley, vacant by his Brother's death, to which I shall probably be instituted in the course of a few weeks. I think of commencing residence at Rothley about Michaelmas; and I hope I shall not be long there before I have the satisfaction of seeing you under my roof. I shall be sorry to part with my honest friends at Claybrook; and am very anxious about the succession to the Curacy. The Bishop has the nomination; but he will probably listen to my recommendation. A. MACAULAY." "MY DEAR SIR, Rothley Vicarage, Feb. 20, 1798. "I am now as comfortably situated as a Country Parson can reasonably desire; and no ambitious dreams disturb my repose, notwithstanding the following passage in a letter from a friend in high life: I have no doubt of your eventual promotion in the Church; for YOUR PRINCESS does not forget her Friends'." On this moderate preferment, with a numerous family, the zealous Vicar is "passing rich." The sequestered situation of Mr. Macaulay has, however, been a loss, not only to himself, but to the literary world. Few men have greater abilities for writing; few have laid in a greater store either of classical or historical learning; and his enunciation is pleasing and perspicuous; but his oratory has been principally exhibited to rustic congregations; and his productions from the press are not very numerous. Besides those above specified, he has only published the following detached Sermons. "The peculiar Advantages of Sunday-schools; a Charity Sermon preached at St. Paul's, Bedford, 1792," 8vo; "The Liturgy of the Church of England recommended; a Sermon preached on St. Mark's Day, 1796, at Bow Church, before the Governors of Hutchins's Charity," 8vo; a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Claybrook, May 5, 1805, at the Funeral of Emma Dicey." He has indeed meditated loftier flights, and has planned a thousand schemes for a variety of useful and entertaining books-but, when I add, on my own knowledge, that he has been full thirty years engaged in a" Life of Melancthon," there is not much hope that the Publick will be gratified with

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