[Footnote 380: The reader will find some account of MAITTAIRE'S bibliographical labours at p. 47, ante; and of his editions of the ancient Classics, at p. 442, vol. ii., of my _Introduction to the Knowledge of rare and valuable editions of the Greek and Latin Classics_. He need here only be informed that Maittaire's books were sold by auction in November, 1748, and January, 1749; the catalogue of them forming _two parts_, with one of these dates affixed to each. The collection must have been uncommonly numerous; and of their intrinsic value the reader will best judge by the following extract from the "Advertisement," by Cock the auctioneer, at the back of the title-page: "tho' the books, in their present condition, make not the most ostentatious appearance, yet, like the late worthy possessor of them, however plain their outside may be, they contain within an invaluable treasure of ingenuity and learning. In fine, this is (after fifty years' diligent search and labour in collecting) THE ENTIRE LIBRARY OF MR. MAITTAIRE; whose judgement in the choice of books, as it ever was confessed, so are they, undoubtedly, far beyond whatever I can attempt to say in their praise. In exhibiting them thus to the public, I comply with the will of my deceased friend; and in printing the catalogue from his OWN COPY just as he left it (tho' by so doing it is the more voluminous) I had an opportunity, not only of doing the justice I owe to his memory, but also of gratifying the curious." I incline strongly to think there were no copies of this catalogue printed upon large paper. When priced, the usual copy brings a fair round sum.]

BELIN. All this may be very learned and just. But of these gentlemen I find no account in the fashionable necrologies.

LOREN. Only wait a little, and Lysander will break forth with the mention of some transcendental bibliomaniac.

LYSAND. Yes, ever renowned RICHARD MEAD![381] thy _pharmacopaeal_ reputation is lost in the blaze of thy _bibliomaniacal_ glory!

aesculapius may plant his herbal crown round thy brow, and Hygeia may scatter her cornucopia of roses at thy feet--but what are these things compared with the homage offered thee by the Gesners, Baillets, and Le Longs, of old? What avail even the roseate blushes of thousands, whom thy medical skill, may have snatched from a premature grave--compared with the life, vigour, animation and competition which thy example infused into the BOOK-WORLD!

[Footnote 381: It is almost impossible to dwell on the memory of THIS GREAT MAN, without emotions of delight--whether we consider him as an eminent physician, a friend to literature, or a collector of books, pictures, and coins. Benevolence, magnanimity, and erudition were the striking features of his character. His house was the general receptacle of men of genius and talent, and of every thing beautiful, precious, and rare. His curiosities, whether books, or coins, or pictures, were freely laid open to the public; and the enterprising student, and experienced antiquary, alike found amusement and a courteous reception.

He was known to all foreigners of intellectual distinction, and corresponded both with the artisan and the potentate.

The great patron of literature, and the leader of his profession, it was hardly possible, as Lysander has well observed, "for modest merit if properly introduced to him, to depart unrewarded or ungratified." The clergy, and, in general, all men of learning, received his advice gratuitously; and his doors were open every morning to the most indigent, whom he frequently assisted with money.

Although his income, from his professional practice, was very considerable, he died by no means a rich man--so large were the sums which he devoted to the encouragement of literature and the fine arts! The sale of Dr. Mead's _Books_ commenced on the 18th of November, 1754, and again on the 7th of April, 1755: lasting together 57 days. The sale of the _prints_ and _drawings_ continued 14 nights. The _gems_, _bronzes_, _busts_, and _antiquities_, 8 days.

His books produced 5496 15 0 Pictures 3417 11 0 Prints and drawings 1908 14 0 Coins and medals 1977 17 0 Antiquities 3246 15 0 ------------ Amount of all the sales 16,047 12 0 ------------

It would be difficult to mention, within a moderate compass, all the rare and curious articles which his library contained--but the following are too conspicuous to be passed over. The _Spira Virgil_, of 1470, _Pfintzing's Tewrdanchk's_, 1527, _Brandt's Stultifera Navis_, 1498, and the _Aldine Petrarch_, of 1501, ALL UPON VELLUM. The large paper _Olivet's Cicero_ was purchased by Dr. Askew, for 14_l._ 14_s._, and was sold again at his sale for 36_l._ 15_s._ The King of France bought the editio princeps of _Pliny Senior_ for 11_l._ 11_s._: and Mr. Wilcock, a bookseller, bought the magnificently illuminated _Pliny by Jenson_, of 1472, for 18_l._ 18_s._: of which Maittaire has said so many fine things. The _French_ books, and all the works upon the _Fine Arts_, were of the first rarity and value, and bound in a sumptuous manner. Winstanley's _Prospects of Audley End_ brought 50_l._ An amusing account of some of the pictures will be found in Mr. Beloe's _Anecdotes of Literature and scarce Books_, vol. i., 166, 71. But consult also _Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer_, p.

225, &c. Of the catalogue of Dr. Mead's books, there were only six copies printed upon _large paper_. See _Bibl.

Lort_, no. 1149. I possess one of these copies, uncut and priced. Dr. MEAD had parted, in his life-time, to the present king's father, with several miniature pictures of great value (Walpole Anec., vol. i., 165) by Isaac Oliver and Holbein, which are now in his majesty's collection. Dr.

Askew had purchased his Greek MSS. for 500_l._ Pope has admirably well said,

"Rare _monkish manuscripts_ for HEARNE alone, And _Books_ FOR MEAD, and _butterflies_ for SLOANE."

_Epistle_ iv.

Upon which his commentator, Warburton, thus observes: "These were two eminent physicians; the one had an excellent library, the other the finest collection in Europe of natural curiosities." For nearly half a century did Dr. Mead pursue an unrivalled career in his profession. He was (perhaps "thrice") presented with the presidentship of the College of Physicians, which he ("thrice") refused. One year it is said he made 7000_l._, a great sum in his time! His regular emoluments were between 5000_l._ and 6000_l._ per annum. He died on the 25th of February, 1754, in the 81st year of his age. On his death, Dr. ASKEW, who seems to have had a sort of filial veneration for his character, and whose pursuits were in every respect congenial with Dr. Mead's, presented the College of Physicians with a marble bust of him, beautifully executed by Roubilliac, and for which he paid the sculptor 100_l._ A whimsical anecdote is connected with the execution of this bust. Roubilliac agreed with Dr.

Askew for 50_l._: the doctor found it so highly finished that he paid him for it 100_l._ The sculptor said this was not enough, and brought in a bill for 108_l._ 2_s._ Dr.

Askew paid this demand, even to the odd shillings, and then enclosed the receipt to Mr. Hogarth, to produce at the next meeting of artists. Nichols's _Anec. of Bowyer_, p. 580. "I cannot help," says Mr. Edwards, the late ornithologist, "informing succeeding generations that they may see the _real features_ of Dr. Mead in this bust: for I, who was as well acquainted with his face as any man living, do pronounce this bust of him to be so like that, as often as I see it, my mind is filled with the strongest idea of the original." Hearne speaks of the MEADEAN FAMILY with proper respect, in his _Alured de Beverly_, p. XLV.; and in _Walter Hemingford_, vol. i., XXXV. In his _Gulielmus Nubrigensis_, vol. iii., p. 744 (note), he says of our illustrious bibliomaniac:--"that most excellent physician, and truly great man, Dr. Richard Mead, to whom I am eternally obliged." There is an idle story somewhere told of Dr.

Mead's declining the acceptance of a challenge to fight with swords--alleging his want of skill in the art of fencing: but this seems to be totally void of authority. Thus far, concerning Dr. Mead, from the first edition of this work, and the paper entitled "The Director." The following particulars, which I have recently learnt of the MEAD FAMILY, from John Nicholl, Esq., my neighbour at Kensington, and the maternal grandson of the Doctor, may be thought well worth subjoining. MATTHEW MEAD, his father, was a clergyman.

He gave up his living at Stepney in 1662; which was afterwards divided into the four fine livings now in the gift of Brazen-Nose College, Oxford. His parishioners built him a chapel; but he retired to a farm in the country, and had the reputation of handling a bullock as well as any butcher in the county. He went abroad in the reign of James II., and had his sons, Samuel and Richard, educated under Graevius. SAMUEL MEAD, _his brother_, was a distinguished Chancery barrister, and got his 4000_l._ per ann.; his cronies were Wilbraham and Lord Harcourt. These, with a few other eminent barristers, used to meet at a coffee-house, and drink their favourite, and then fashionable, liquor--called _Bishop_, which consisted of red wine, lemon, and sugar. Samuel was a shy character, and loved privacy. He had a good country house, and handsome chambers in Lincoln's Inn, and kept a carriage for his sister's use, having his coachmaker's arms painted upon the panel. What is very characteristic of the modesty of his profession, he pertinaciously refused a silk gown! A word or two remains to be said of our illustrious bibliomaniac RICHARD. His brother left him 30,000_l._, and giving full indulgence to his noble literary feelings, the Doctor sent Carte, the historian, to France, to rummage for MSS. of _Thuanus_, and to restore the castrated passages which were not originally published for fear of offending certain families. He made Buckley, the editor, procure the best _ink and paper_ from Holland, for this edition of Thuanus, which was published at his own expense; and the Doctor was remarkably solicitous that nothing of exterior pomp and beauty should be wanting in the publication. The result verified his most sanguine expectation; for a finer edition of a valuable historian has never seen the light. Dr. Ward, says Mr. Nichols, is supposed to have written Mead's Latin, but the fact is not so; or it is exclusively applicable to the _later_ pieces of Mead. The Doctor died in his 83rd year (and in full possession of his mental powers), from a fall occasioned by the negligence of a servant. He was a great _diagnostic_ physician; and, when he thought deeply, was generally correct in judging of the disorder by the appearance of the countenance.]

The tears shed by virtuous bibliomaniacs at Harley's death were speedily wiped away, when the recollection of thine, and of thy contemporary's, FOLKES'S[382] fame, was excited in their bosoms.

Illustrious Bibliomaniacs! your names and memories will always live in the hearts of noble-minded Literati: the treasures of your Museums and Libraries--your liberal patronage and ever-active exertions in the cause of VIRTU--whether connected with coins, pictures, or books--can never be banished, at least, from my grateful mind:--And if, at this solemn hour, when yonder groves and serpentine walks are sleeping in the quiet of moon-light, your spirits could be seen placidly to flit along, I would burst from this society--dear and congenial as it is--to take your last instructions, or receive your last warnings, respecting the rearing of a future age of bibliomaniacs! Ye were, in good earnest, noble-hearted book-heroes!--but I wander:--forgive me!

[Footnote 382: "_A Catalogue of the entire and valuable library of_ MARTIN FOLKES, Esq., President of the Royal Society, and Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, lately deceased; which will be sold by auction, by Samuel Baker, at his house in York Street, Covent-Garden. To begin on Monday, February 2, 1756, and to continue for forty days successively (Sundays excepted). Catalogues to be had at most of the considerable places in Europe, and all the booksellers of Great Britain and Ireland. Price sixpence."

This collection was an exceedingly fine one; enriched with many books of the choicest description, which Mr. Folkes had acquired in his travels in Italy and Germany. The works on natural history, coins, medals, inscriptions, and on the fine arts in general, formed the most valuable department--those on the Greek, Latin, and English classics were comparatively of inferior importance. It is a great pity the catalogue was not better digested; or the books classed according to the nature of their contents. The following prices, for some of the more rare and interesting articles, will amuse a bibliographer of the present day. The chronicles of Fabian, Hall, and Grafton, did not, altogether, bring quite 2_l._, though the copies are described as perfect and fair. There seems to have been a fine set of Sir Wm. Dugdale's Works (Nos. 3074-81) in 13 vols., which, collectively, produced about 30 guineas! At the present day, they are worth about 250_l._--In _Spanish literature_, the history of South America, by John Duan and Ant. di Ulloa, Madr., fol., in 5 vols., was sold for 5_l._: a fine large paper copy of the description of the monastery of St. Lorenzo, and the Escorial, Madr., 1657, brought 1_l._ 2_s._; de Lastanosa's Spanish medals, Huesca, fol., 1645, 2_l._ 2_s._--In _English_, the first edition of Shakspeare, 1623, which is now what a French bibliographer would say, "presque introuvable," produced the sum of 3_l._ 3_s._; and Fuller's Worthies, 18_s._!----_Fine Arts, Antiquities, and Voyages._ Sandrart's works, in 9 folio volumes (of which a fine perfect copy is now rarely to be met with, and of very great value) were sold for 13_l._ 13_s._ only: Desgodetz Roman edifices, Paris, 1682, 4_l._ 10_s._ Galleria Giustiniano, 2 vols., fol., 13_l._ 13_s._ Le Brun's Voyages in Muscovy, &c., in large paper, 4_l._ 4_s._ De Rossi's Raccolta de Statue, &c., Rom., 1704, 6_l._ 10_s._ Medailles du Regne de Louis le Grand: de l'Imp. Roy. 1. p. fol., 1702, 5_l._ 15_s._ 6_d._----The works on _Natural History_ brought still higher prices: but the whole, from the present depreciation of money, and increased rarity of the articles, would now bring thrice the sums then given.--Of the _Greek and Latin Classics_, the Pliny of 1469 and 1472 were sold to Dr. Askew, for 11_l._ 11_s._ and 7_l._ 17_s._ 6_d._ At the Doctor's sale they brought 43_l._ and 23_l._, although the first was lately sold (A.D. 1805) among some duplicates of books belonging to the British Museum, at a much lower price: the copy was, in fact, neither large nor beautiful.

Those in Lord Spencer's, and the Hunter and Cracherode collections, are greatly superior, and would each bring more than double the price. From a priced copy of the sale catalogue, upon _large paper_, and uncut, in my possession, I find that the amount of the sale, consisting of 5126 articles, was 3091_l._ 6_s._ The _Prints, and Drawings_ of Mr. Folkes occupied a sale of 8 days: and his _pictures_, _gems_, _coins_, and _mathematical instruments_, of five days. Mr. MARTIN FOLKES may justly be ranked among the most useful, as well as splendid, literary characters, of which this country can boast. He appears to have imbibed, at a very early age, an extreme passion for science and literature; and to have distinguished himself so much at the University of Cambridge, under the able tuition of Dr.

Laughton, that, in his 23rd year, he was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Society. About two years afterwards he was chosen one of the council; and rose in succession to the chair of the presidentship, which, as Lysander above truly says, he filled with a credit and celebrity that has since never been surpassed. On this occasion he was told by Dr.

Jurin, the Secretary, who dedicated to him the 34th vol. of the Transactions, that "the greatest man that ever lived (Sir Isaac Newton) singled him out to fill the chair, and to preside in the society, when he himself was so frequently prevented by indisposition; and that it was sufficient to say of him that he was _Sir Isaac's friend_." Within a few years afterwards, he was elected President of the Society of Antiquaries. Two situations, the filling of which may be considered as the _ne plus ultra_ of literary distinction.

Mr. Folkes travelled abroad, with his family, about two years and a half, visiting the cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice--where he was noticed by almost every person of rank and reputation, and whence he brought away many a valuable article to enrich his own collection. He was born in the year 1690, and died of a second stroke of the palsy, under which he languished for three years, in 1754. He seems to have left behind him a considerable fortune. Among his numerous bequests was one to the Royal Society of 200_l._, along with a fine portrait of Lord Bacon, and a large cornelian ring, with the arms of the society engraved upon it, for the perpetual use of the president and his successors in office. The MSS. of his own composition, not being quite perfect, were, to the great loss of the learned world, ordered by him to be destroyed. The following wood-cut portrait is taken from a copper-plate in the _Portraits des Hommes Illustres de Denmark_, 4to., 7 parts, 1746: part 4th, a volume which abounds with a number of copper-plate engravings, _worked off_ in a style of uncommon clearness and brilliancy. Some of the portraits themselves are rather stiff and unexpressive; but the vignettes are uniformly tasteful and agreeable. The seven parts are rarely found in an equal state of perfection.

[Illustration]

Dr. Birch has drawn a very just and interesting character of this eminent man, which may be found in Nichols's _Anecdotes of Bowyer_, pp. 562-7. Mr. Edwards, the late ornithologist, has described him in a simple, but appropriate, manner. "He seemed," says he, "to have attained to universal knowledge; for, in the many opportunities I have had of being in his company, almost every part of science has happened to be the subject of discourse, all of which he handled as an adept.

He was a man of great politeness in his manners, free from all pedantry and pride, and, in every respect, the real, unaffected, fine gentleman."]

ALMAN. Pray keep to this earth, and condescend to notice us mortals of flesh and blood, who have heard of Dr. Mead, and Martin Folkes, only as eminently learned and tasteful characters.

LYSAND. I crave your forgiveness. But Dr. Mead's cabinet of coins, statues, and books, was so liberally thrown open for the public inspection that it was hardly possible for modest merit, if properly made known to him, to depart unrewarded or ungratified. Nor does the renowned President of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies--Martin Folkes--merit a less warm eulogy; for he filled these distinguished situations with a credit which has never since been surpassed.

But there is yet an illustrious tribe to be recorded. We have, first, RICHARD RAWLINSON,[383] brother of the renowned _Tom Folio_, whose choice and tasteful collection of books, as recorded in auctioneering annals, is deserving of high commendation. But his name and virtues are better known in the University, to which he was a benefactor, than to the noisy circles of the metropolis. The sale of ORATOR HENLEY'S books "followed hard upon" that of Richard Rawlinson's; and if the spirit of their owner could, from his "gilt tub," have witnessed the grimaces and jokes which marked the sale--with the distorted countenances and boisterous laughter which were to be seen on every side--how it must have writhed under the smart of general ridicule, or have groaned under the torture of contemptuous indignation! Peace to Henley's[384] vexed _manes_!--and similar contempt await the efforts of all literary quacks and philosophical knaves!

[Footnote 383: "BIBLIOTHECA RAWLINSONIANA, _sive Catalogus Librorum Richardi Rawlinson_, LL.D. Qui prostabunt Venales sub hasta, Apud Samuelem Baker, In Vico dicto York-street, Covent Garden, Londoni, Die Lunae 29 Marti MDCCLVI." With the following whimsical Greek motto in the title-page:

[Greek: Kai gar o taos dia to spanion thaumazetai].

EUBULUS.

("The peacock is admired on account of its rarity.")

This valuable library must have contained nearly 25,000 volumes, multiplying the number of articles (9405) by 3--the usual mode of calculation. Unfortunately, as was the case with Dr. Mead's and Mr. Folkes's, the books were not arranged according to any particular classification. Old black-letter English were mixed with modern Italian, French, and Latin; and novels and romances interspersed with theology and mathematics. An _alphabetical_ arrangement, be the books of whatever kind they may, will in general obviate the inconvenience felt from such an undigested plan; and it were "devoutly to be wished," by all true bibliographers, that an act of parliament should pass for the due observance of this alphabetical order. We all know our A, B, C, but have not all analytical heads; or we may differ in our ideas of analysis. The scientific and alphabetical _united_ is certainly better; like Mr. Harris's excellent catalogue, noticed at p. 99, ante. The "_Methode pour dresser une bibliotheque_," about which De Bure, Formey, and Peignot have so solemnly argued, is not worth a moment's discussion.

Every man likes to be his own librarian, as well as "his own broker." But to return to Dr. Rawlinson's collection. On examining a priced catalogue of it, which now lies before me, I have not found any higher sum offered for a work than 4_l._ 1_s._ for a collection of fine prints, by Aldegrever.

(No. 9405.) The Greek and Latin Classics, of which there were few _Editiones Principes_, or on _large paper_, brought the usual sums given at that period. The old English black-letter books, which were pretty thickly scattered throughout the collection, were sold for exceedingly low prices--if the copies were perfect. Witness the following:

_s._ _d._ The Newe Testament in English, 1500 0 2 9 The Ymage of both Churches, after the Revelation of St. John, by Bale, 1550 0 1 6 The boke called the Pype or Tonne of Perfection, by Richard Whytforde, 1553 0 1 9 The Visions of Pierce Plowman, 1561 0 2 0 The Creede of Pierce Plowman, 1532 0 1 6 The Bookes of Moses, in English, 1530 0 3 9 Bale's Actes of English Votaryes, 1550 0 1 3 The Boke of Chivalrie, by Caxton 0 11 0 The Boke of St. Alban's, by W. de Worde 1 1 0

These are only very few of the rare articles in English literature; of the whole of which (perhaps upwards of 200 in number) I believe the boke of St. Albans brought the highest sum. Hence it will be seen that this was not the age of curious research into the productions of our ancestors.

Shakspeare had not then appeared in a proper _variorum edition_. Theobald, Pope, and Warburton, had not investigated the =black-letter= lore of ancient English writers for the illustration of their favourite author. This was reserved for Capell, Farmer, Steevens, Malone, Chalmers, Reed, and Douce: and it is expressly to these latter gentlemen (for Johnson and Hanmer were very sparing, or very shy, of the black-letter), that we are indebted for the present spirit of research into the works of our ancestors.

The sale of the _books_ lasted 50 days. There was a second sale of _pamphlets, books of prints, &c._, in the following year, which lasted 10 days: and this was immediately succeeded by a sale of the doctor's _single prints and drawings_, which continued 8 days. Dr. Rawlinson's benefactions to Oxford, besides his Anglo-Saxon endowment at St. John's College, were very considerable; including, amongst other curiosities, _a series of medals of the Popes_, which the Doctor supposed to be one of the most complete collections in Europe; and a great number of valuable MSS., which he directed to be safely locked up, and not to be opened till seven years after his decease. He died on the 6th of April, 1755. To St. John's College, where he had been a gentleman commoner, Dr. Rawlinson left the bulk of his estate, amounting to near 700_l._ a year: _a plate of Abp. Laud_, 31 volumes of _Parliamentary Journals and Debates_, a set of _Rymer's Foedera_, his _Greek_, _Roman_, and _English coins_, not given to the Bodleian Library; all his plates engraved at the expense of the Society of Antiquaries; his diploma, and his _heart_; which latter is placed in a beautiful urn against the chapel wall, with this inscription:

Urbi thesaurus, ibi cor.

RIC. RAWLINSON, LL.D. & ANT. S.S.

Olim hujus collegii superioris ordinis commensalis.

Obiit. vi. Apr. MDCCLV.

Hearne speaks of him, in the preface of his _Tit. Liv. For.

Jul. vita Hen. V._, p. xvi., as "vir antiquis moribus ornatus, perque eam viam euns, quae ad immortalem gloriam ducit."]

[Footnote 384: This gentleman's library, not so remarkable for the black-letter as for whimsical publications, was sold by auction, by Samuel Paterson (the earliest sale in which I find this well known book-auctioneer engaged), in June, 1759, and the three ensuing evenings. The title of the Sale Catalogue is as follows:----"_A Catalogue of the original MSS. and manuscript collections of the late_ Reverend Mr.

JOHN HENLEY, A.M., Independent Minister of the Oratory, &c., in which are included sundry collections of the late Mons.

des Maizeaux, the learned editor of Bayle, &c., Mr. Lowndes, author of the Report for the Amendment of Silver coins, &c., Dr. Patrick Blair, Physician at Boston, and F.R.S., &c.

Together with original letters and papers of State, addressed to Henry d'Avenant, Esq., her Britannic Majesty's Envoy at Francfort, from 1703 to 1708 inclusive." Few libraries have contained more curious and remarkable publications than did this. The following articles, given as notable specimens, remind us somewhat of Addison's memoranda for the Spectator, which the waiter at the coffee-house picked up and read aloud for the amusement of the company.----No. 166. God's Manifestation by a Star to the Dutch. A mortifying Fast-Diet at Court. On the Birth Day of the first and oldest young Gentleman. All corrupt: none good; no, not one.----168. General Thumbissimo. The Spring reversed, or the Flanderkin's Opera and Dutch Pickle Herrings. The Creolean Fillip, or Royal Mishap. A Martial Telescope, &c. England's Passion Sunday, and April Changelings.----170. Speech upon Speech. A Telescope for Tournay. No Battle, but worse, and the True Meaning of it.

An Army beaten and interred.----174. Signs when the P. will come. Was Captain Sw-n, a Prisoner on Parole, to be catechised? David's Opinion of like Times. The Seeds of the plot may rise though the leaves fall. A Perspective, from the Blair of Athol. The Pretender's Popery. Murder! Fire!

Where! Where!----178. Taking Carlise, catching an eel by the tail. Address of a Bishop, Dean, and Clergy. Swearing to the P----r, &c. Anathema denounced against those parents, Masters, and Magistrates, that do not punish the Sin at Stokesley. A Speech, &c. A Parallel between the Rebels to K.

Charles I. and those to his successor. _Jane Cameron_ looked killing at _Falkirk_.----179. Let Stocks be knighted, write, Sir Bank, &c., the Ramhead Month. A Proof that the Writers against Popery, fear it will be established in this Kingdom.

A Scheme wisely blabbed to root and branch the Highlanders.

Let St. Patrick have fair Play, &c.----Of ORATOR HENLEY I have not been able to collect any biographical details, more interesting than those which are to be found in Warburton's notes to Pope's Dunciad: He was born at Melton Mowbray, in Leicestershire, in 1692, and was brought up at St. John's College, in the University of Cambridge. After entering into orders, he became a preacher in London, and established a lecture on Sunday evenings, near Lincoln's-Inn Fields, and another on Wednesday evenings, chiefly on political and scientific subjects. Each auditor paid one shilling for admission. "He declaimed," says Warburton, "against the greatest persons, and occasionally did our poet (Pope) that honour. When he was at Cambridge, he began to be uneasy; for it shocked him to find he was commanded to believe against his own judgment in points of religion, philosophy, &c.: for his genius leading him freely to _dispute all propositions_, and _call all points to account_, he was impatient under those fetters of the free-born mind." When he was admitted into priest's orders, he thought the examination so short and superficial that he considered it "_not necessary to conform to the Christian religion_, in order either to be a deacon or priest." With these quixotic sentiments he came to town; and "after having, for some years, been a writer for the booksellers, he had an ambition to be so for ministers of state." The only reason he did not rise in the church, we are told, "was the envy of others, and a disrelish entertained of him, because _he was not qualified to be a complete spaniel_." However, he offered the service of his pen to two great men, of opinions and interests directly opposite: but being rejected by both of them, he set up a new project, and styled himself, "_The restorer of ancient eloquence._" Henley's pulpit, in which he preached, "was covered with velvet, and adorned with gold." It is to this that Pope alludes, in the first couplet of his second book of the Dunciad:

High on a gorgeous seat, that far outshone HENLEY'S _gilt tub_----

"He had also an altar, and placed over it this extraordinary inscription, '_The primitive Eucharist._'" We are told by his friend Welsted (narrative in Oratory Transact. No. 1) that "he had the assurance to form a plan, which no mortal _ever thought of_; he had success against all opposition; challenged his adversaries to fair disputations, and _none would dispute with him_: he wrote, read, and studied, twelve hours a day; composed three dissertations a week on all subjects; undertook to teach in _one year_ what schools and universities teach in _five_: was not terrified by menaces, insults, or satires; but still proceeded, matured his bold scheme, and put the church and _all that in danger_!" See note to Dunciad, book iii., v. 199. Pope has described this extraordinary character with singular felicity of expression:

But, where each science lifts its modern type, Hist'ry her Pot, Divinity her Pipe, While proud philosophy repines to shew, Dishonest sight! his breeches rent below; Imbrown'd with native bronze, lo! Henley stands, Tuning his voice and balancing his hands.

How fluent nonsense trickles from his tongue!

How sweet the periods, neither said nor sung!

Still break the benches, Henley! with thy strain, While SHERLOCK, HARE, and GIBSON, preach in vain.

Oh great restorer of the good old stage, Preacher at once, and zany of thy age, Oh worthy thou, of Egypt's wise abodes, A decent priest, where monkeys were the gods!

But fate with butchers plac'd thy priestly stall, Meek modern faith to murder, hack, and mawl; And bade thee live, to crown Britannia's praise, In TOLAND'S, TINDAL'S, and in WOOLSTON'S days.

_Dunciad_, b. iii., v. 190, &c.