who sailed upon it: and rendered their names terrible from the straits of the Dardanelles to those of Gibraltar. With such a power they wanted an establishment; and the opportunity of settling themselves, offered in 1516, by the inconsiderate application of Eutemi king of Algiers to them for assistance against the Spaniards. Aruch leaving his brother to command the fleet, carried 5000 men to Algiers, where he was received by the populace as their deliverer: and secretly murdering the prince he came to aid, caused himself to be proclaimed king in his stead. To this usurpation, he added the conquest of Tremecen; when his exploits and piracies induced the emperor Charles V. to furnish the marquis de Gomarez governor of Oran, with troops to suppress him; and by him he was defeated and killed. Upon his death, Haradin, his brother assumed the sceptre with the same abilities: but with much better fortune: for the Spaniards sufficiently employed in Europe, giving him no disturbance, he regulated the interior police of his kingdom with great prudence, carried on his naval operations with vigour and extended his conquests on the continent of Africa. He likewise obtained the command of the Turkish fleet, put his dominions under the protection of the Grand Signior, and made himself master of the kingdom of Tunis, in a manner similar to that by which his brother gained Algiers. Since the time of the Barbarossas, the most powerful, commercial nations in Europe, have, from an incomprenensible policy, submitted to pay tribute to this insignificant and paltry nest of pirates; who, as their dependence on the Porte is now no more than nominal, cannot, in case of attack, look to any quarter for assistance, except from within themselves. BARCLAY, (ROBERT) an eminent writer amongst the Friends, or as they are commonly called Quakers, was born at Edinburgh in 1648. The troubles, which then prevailed in Scotland, induced his father Colonel Barclay to send him, while a youth, to Paris, under the care of his uncle, president of the Scots College, who taking advantage of the tender years of his nephew, drew him over to the religion of the church of Rome. His father being informed of this circumstance, ordered him home in 1664. Robert, though, now only sixteen, had not only gained a perfect knowledge of the French and Latin languages, but also made great proficiency in most other branches of useful knowledge. Several writers amongst the Friends have asserted, that Col. Barclay had embraced their doctrine before his Son's return from France: but Robert himself has fixed it in the year 1666. Our author soon after became also a proselyte to that sect, and, in a short time greatly distinguished himself by his zeal for their doctrines. His first treatise in their defence appeared at Aberdeen in 1670, and was written in so sensible a manner, that it greatly raised the credit of the Friends, whose religious principles being thus better known, procured them better treatment from government than they had heretofore experienced. In 1675 he published a regular and systematical work explanatory of the tenets of the Friends, which was universally well received. It was entitled, "A Catechism and Confession of Faith, approved of, and agreed unto by the general assembly of the patriarchs, prophets and apostles. Christ himself chief speaker in and among them, which containeth a true and faithful account of the principles and doctrines, which are most surely believed by the churches of Christ in Great Britain and Ireland, who are reproachfully called Quakers, yet are found in true faith with the primitive church and saints, as is most clearly demonstrated by some plain scripture testimonies, which are here collected and inserted by way of answer to a few weighty, yet easy and familiar questions, fitted as well for the wisest Vol. I. No. 3. Y and largest, as for the weakest and lowest capacities, to which is added an expostulation, with an appeal to all other professors." About the same time, many of those who opposed the religion of the Friends, having endeavoured to confound them with another sect called the Ranters, our author, with a view to shew the difference between those of his own per suasion and this other sect, published another work which was deemed extremely well timed and judi cious. In 1676 his celebrated "Apology for the Quakers" appeared, in Latin, at Amsterdam in quarto. His "Theses Theologica," which are the foundation of this work, had been published some time before. To men of classical knowledge, these two publications not only afford an abundant proof, that our author was one of the most elegant writers in the Latin language; but likewise, that he was a man of great candour, sound judgment and a perfect master of the art of reasoning In 1678, he published his apology in English. Prefixed to this work is an address to King Charles II. which, as it contains a number of bold truths and these too relating to his majesty, is certainly a species of composition, which few dare present to the inspection of princes. Amongst many other extraordinary passages contained in this address, we meet the following: "There is no king in the world, who can so experimentally testify of Gods providence and goodness, neither is there any who rules so many free people, so many true christians, which thing renders thy government more honourable, thyself more considerable than the accession of many nations filled with slavish and superstitious souls. Thou hast tasted of prosperity and adversity, thou knowest what it is to be banished thy native country, to be over-ruled, as well as to rule and sit upon the throne, and being oppressed, thou hast reason to know how hateful the oppressor is both to God and man: if after all those |