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Dialogues, and is immediately setting about notes, which he intends to subjoin to them. He bids the pastry-cooks defiance for this Christmas, as he purposes not to publish till some time in January. It is to be hoped, by that time you will be returned, and indeed long before*. For let me give you conquerors on the other side of the water one piece of advice; if you do not come home, and wear your saurels while fresh, they will wither by keeping as much as cabbage or ground-ivyt.

However, be your return distant or near, I insist on your writing to me, and that more than once.

Incur not by your neglect that mortal sin Accidias, whose name I should never have known but by your kind instruction. I, you see, have escaped its imputation by this tedious epistle. You, I know, can escape it with a far better grace, and this I daily pray you may have grace to do. In the mean time believe me to be with all truth, dear Mr. Young, your most affectionate humble servant. Sarum, Oct. 1, 1743.

JAMES HARRIS,

a

(Directed thus) To Mr. Wm. Young, in Germany. 1781, Aug.

XXVIII. Dr. Stuart to James Cummyng, Esq. Secretary of the Antiquarian Society at Edinburgh, con

cerning Mary, Queen of Scots. I BEG to have the honour of transmitting to you, for the library of the Society of Antiquaries at Edinburgh, a copy of my History of Scotland, from the establishment of the Reformation, till the death of Queen Mary. While I am ambitious of depositing my work in so conspicuous a Repository, I am sensible that I may thus call to it the particular examination of many ingenious and learned men. It becomes me, therefore, to observe that I would have abstained industriously from this measure, if I were not conscious of having

* Mr. Y. did return the same year before Christmas, and was some time with Mr. H.

+ This prediction may be seen verified in the parliamentary debates, pamphlets, &c. of those times.

Axridea.

directed my narration by the purest views of public utility.
I am consequently in a disposition to attend with candour to
whatever can be objected to my book. The historian who
can persist in his mistakes, departs from his duty, and vio-
lates the character he has assumed. And, if there is a situ-
ation where mistakes ought invariably and scrupulously to
be corrected, and where a violation of the historical rule is
altogether inexcusable, it is in the case of a queen who has
suffered in her honour by misrepresentations, and who, with
strong and real claims to integrity, has been held out to re-
proach and infamy. It will not, I believe, be objected to
me, that I have fallen into this situation; but whatever my
errors are, I shall give way to a commendable pride, and
my eagerness to renounce them shall be in proportion to
their importance, and to the danger of their tendency.
And I desire it to be remembered, that I make this declara-
tion with the greater propriety and justice, as I differ most
essentially in my sentiments from a living historian*, who
has treated the subject which has attracted my attention,
and who enjoys the distinction of being a member of our
Society. If it shall be found that I have lost my way, and
wandered in the mazy labyrinth of hostile factions, I will,
notwithstanding, be ready to catch the clue that ought to
have guided my steps. If it shall be demonstrated that
Mary was not so perfect and so innocent as I have repre-
sented her, I will yield to the controlling power of evidence
and argument. Though I shall weep over the misfortunes,
the frailties, and the crimes of this beautiful princess, I will
yet pay my devotions to truth, and submit to the law of the
victor.' While you communicate to our Society these ex-
pressions of my sincerity, you will readily perceive that
they are due from me to a body of men, who, from their
birth, their situation, and their studies, are the most able
to judge of the intricate and problematical parts of the
subject I have undertaken. It is with extreme satisfaction,
at the same time, that I embrace the opportunity which is
now offered to me of applauding the public and generous
cares that have brought them together.

I have the honour to be, with great respect,
Sir, your most obedient,

and most humble servant, London, April 10, 1782.

G. STUART. 1782, April

* William Robertson, Doctor of Divinity, and Historiographer for Scotland.

XXIX. Letters relative to the Corporation of the Sons of the

Clergy.

MR. URBAN, The following letters were written by Edward Wake, of Charlton, in the county of Dorset, gent. (uncle to Archbishop Wake) to his wife, while he was in London promoting the establishment of the corporation of the sons of the clergy, of which he formed the first design. They are now first printed, both as they contain an early account of one of our most extensive and meritorious public charities, and as they may tend to perpetuate the praises due to the benevolent exertions of its first projector. The originals are in the possession of the writer's great-grandson, the Rev. Mr. Conant*, of Sandwich in Kent.

London, June 27, 1678. Yours of the 24th. I received, and at the same time a letter from Mr. Hearne. Yesterday I was to wayte on madam Whitaker, where I found a second advice of two little roguish children made tawney moores. I have bought a good strong playne horse, which goes all paces excellently well; and as soon as our charter for the charity for poor clergymen's widows and children is past the broad seale, I purpose to waite on you, for I find, unless I stir in it, it will hardly goe on; and if I ineet not with bad luck, I hope to finish it next weeke; but the design promises well, and if men that have opened their mouths, will not shut their purses, we shall grow rich, and have a house speedily for 80 boys, and their master lodged. I pray present my duty to my mother, my service to my brother, and the rest of my friends. We are all doubtful whether we shall have peace or war ; but the Earle of Sunderland is going, if not gone, to the French king, for the delivery of the towns to the Spaniard and Dutch mentioned in the treaty, or else to declare warre. Five regiments of foote are appointed to go to Flanders. My dear, your very heartily affectionate friend.

MY DEAREST,

E. Wake.

* This gentleman's family were also benefactors to the sons of the clergy in the person of the Rev. John Withers (to whom he was next of kin,) who, among other charitable bequests, to the amount of 10,0001, left 30001, to the uses of this charity,

MY DEAREST,

London, July 4, 1678. I RECEIVED yours of the 1st. and am glad to heare of all your welfares, which I pray God continue. The chief news that I can with any contentment write you is, that the bishops and inferior clergy highly approve of my darling project of the corporation of clergymen's sons which there is possibility will arrive to as greate charity as any thing that now is; and, I thank God, that I have this satisfaction, that as I was the first starter of it, so my own diligence has chiefly brought it where it is; and hereyn you see that I have no great contentment that I make not you a sharer with me. Yesterday our governors met at my summons, and we had two great men that promised 1001. a piece, and Wensday next is appointed for the next meeting, which, I hope, will not impede my setting out to you the day following, for I very much now long for Blandford, and, above all things, for your sake.

My dear, yours, 1782, Aug.

E. WAKE.

XXX. Sir Isaac Newton to Dr. Maddock.

MR. URBAN,

Gloucester Street, Aug. 4. FINDING this letter of Sir Isaac Newton's tacked as an appendix to an obscure funeral sermon*, I supposed it would be agreeable to some of your philosophical readers to see it rescued from oblivion in your fund of literary curiosities.

S. A.

“ For his honoured friend Joshua Maddock, Doctor of

Physic, at his house in Whitchurch, in Shropshire. Vir Dignissime, Specimina illa optica, quæ pro humanitate tua ad me nuper misisti, tantam in his rebus peritiam ostendunt, nt non possum quin doleam incertitudinem principiorum quibus omnia innituntur. Etenim quæri potest, an sint in rerum

* By E. Latham, M, D. on the death of the Rev. Mr. Dan. Maddock, Bro. Lond. 1754.

natura radii tenebrosi, et, si sint, an radii illi, secundum aliam legem refringi debeant, quam radii lucis. Defectu cxperientiæ, nescio prorsus quid de his principiis sentiendum sit. Neque huic difficultati tollendæ, quam et tute ipse indigitasti facile adfuerit Tyberius. At positis ejus. modi radiis, una cum lege refractionis quam tu assumis, cætera recte se habent; neque propositiones tantum utiles sunt ac demonstrationes artificiosæ, sed, et quod majus est, omnia nova proponis, quæ opticam, altera sui parte, auctura sunt, si modo defectus experientiæ in stabiliendis principiis tuis aliquo demum modo suppleri possit. Interim, quod me meditationum tuarum perquam subtilium participem fieri dignatus sis, gratias ago. Vale ! Tui studiosissimus, Trin. Coll. Cant. Feb. 7. 1678-9.

Is. NEWTON.” 1782, Aug.

XXXI. Mr. Gray to Mr. T. Warton, on the History of English

Poetry.

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OUR friend Dr. Hurd having long ago desired me in

your name to communicate any fragments, or sketches, of a design I once had, to give a history of English Poetry, you may well think me rude or negligent, when you see me hesitating for so many months, before I comply with your request. And yet, believe me, few of your friends have been better pleased than I, to find this subject, surely neither unentertaining nor unuseful, had fallen into hands so likely to do it justice ; few have felt a higher esteem for your talents, your taste, and industry. In truth, the only cause of my delay has been a sort of diffidence, that would not let me send you any thing so short, so slight, and so imperfect as the few materials I had begun to collect, or the observations I had made on them. A sketch of the division or arrangement of the subject, however, I venture to transcribe; and would wish to know, whether it corresponds in any thing with your own plan. For I am told your first volume

is in the press.

INTRODUCTION. On the poetry of the Gaelic, or Celtic, nations, as far

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