their present critical circumstances, a most certain proof of her affection for him; as she was desirous of ascertaining by actual experiment, with what degree of fortitude she could bear to inflict on herself a deathwound, if he should unfortunately fail in the execution of his perilous enterprise.-Lib. 3, 2, 15.

A remarkable example of martial prowess and good fortune was Sicinius Dentatus, a Roman soldier *.This hero had fought in one hundred and twenty battles-thirty-six times returned laden with the spoils of so many enemies slain with his own hand-eight of whom he killed in single combat, on challenge, in the sight of both armies.-He saved, in various battles, the lives of fourteen fellow-citizens.-He received fortyfive wounds, all in the breast, not one behind.-Nine times he marched in proud procession behind the car of triumph on the last of which joyous occasions, he displayed the following numerous collection of honorary presents, received from his different generals, as the meeds of valour-Eight golden crowns, fourteen civict, three mural t, one obsidional t-one hundred and eighty-three collars or neckchains one hundred and sixty bracelets-eighteen spears-twenty-five phaleræ ‡.—In recording these particulars, Valerius assures the reader, that they were all well attested by authors worthy of credit.-Lib. 3, 2, 24.

To this notice of Sicinius let me add that of Scava, a centurion in Cæsar's army during the civil war with Pompey. In the defence of a small fort or bastion against a very superior force, notwithstanding several other wounds and the loss of one eye, Scæva

* Sicinius - supposed by some commentators to be the same with Siccius, who was basely assassinated by order of the Decemviri, about the year of Rome 300, as recorded by Livy, Lib. 3, 43.

+ Civic, Mural, Obsidional Crown.Few of your Readers require to be informed that the Civic crown was conferred on him who saved a fellow-citizen's life in

battle-the Mural crown, on him who first scaled the enemy's wall-the Obsidional, on him who compelled the enemy to raise a siege.

Phalera.-Commentators not being agreed on the subject of those ornaments, when intended for the horseman himself, and not for his horse, I leave the Latin name as I found it.

continued gallantly fighting, until, exhausted with fatigue and loss of blood, he fell amid a heap of enemies killed with his own band.-His shield was found pierced with one hundred and twenty arrow-shots, according to Valerius, (Lib. 3, 2, 23)—or two hundred and twenty, as the number appears in the text of Cæsar, (Bell. Civ. 3, 53) where it is further recorded, that the brave defenders of the fort produced to their general about thirty thousand arrows, discharged into it by Pompey's party in the course of a few hours; and that the gallant Scæva recovered from his wounds, and was honourably rewarded and promoted. (To be continued.)

I

Mr. URBAN, Gloucester, May 6.
READ, with great pleasure, in

your Review, p. 338, some just commendations on a Pamphlet written by the Rev. James Plumtre, which speaks in high terms of the British Stage. Its influence over the Morals and Manners of the People at large, hath been generally admitted by all ranks and professions in society; and, under these recommendations, it was constantly supported by the countenance, in every sense of the word, of our late excellent Monarch George the Third.

There are, however, some simple fanatics, and Ultra-divines, who hold Plays, Players, and Play-houses in utter abomination: a remarkable, and almost incredible instance of which occurred lately in this City; when a Meeting of Inhabitants was called, to consider on measures of relief for the Poor, then suffering under extreme Cold, and many liberal contributions were accepted. But, upon the respectable Manager of the Theatre making an offer of the produce of an evening's performance for the support of his sinking fellowcreatures, a certain young scion of the new evangelical tree attempted to paralyze this hand of benevolence, by scornfully rejecting it-as held out from an unworthy body!I need scarcely add, that this singular objection, against permitting one buman being to assist another, and arising from illiberal, ill-founded, and unchristian-like prejudice, met with no encouragement but from those enjoying similar feelings and tenets.

A VERY OLD CORRESPONDENT.

Mr.

I

Mr. URBAN,

Inverness, Jan. 1. BEG to send a Drawing of Scenery, which will, no doubt, interest many Readers of your Magazine; the front of the drawing is the Basin of the Caledonian Canal (taken from the North side of the Basin) with the Wharf, and Muirtown Bridge, and four Locks. (see Plate I.) The Hill marked with four birds, is that of Tomnahurich (or Fairy Hill) very remarkable for its insolated situation and curious shape -the Hill on the other side, marked with two birds, is Craig Phatrick, famous for its vitrified Fort, upon which subject many essays have been written, and published; below this hill is the house of Muirtowo, delineated in the very corner of the drawing-the vessel sailing near Tomnahurich shews the line of the Canal near Bughtbridge; -the Hill marked one bird, is Torravain; that over which are three birds, is Craig Duncan; the Basin of the Canal is within one mile of Inverness, and within one quarter of a mile of the junction of the Canal and Loch Beauly, part of the Moray Firth. Your Readers well know that the liberality of Government has already expended 700,000l. on this work-which will navigate frigates of 32 guns, and is expected to be finished in two years, when vessels may pass through it from the Eastern to the Western Ocean.

Of this Work, Mr. Telford (whose modesty conceals his being a Knight of the Order of Merit of Gustavus Vasa) has, from its commencement in 1804, been Chief Engineer: it seems first to have been in 1716; more seriously in 1771; and finally was resolved upon, we think, in 1802 or 3.-It will indeed be a noble gift to Scotland, and we may trust a great advantage to the Commercial Empire. Yours, &c. NAVALIS.

to exalt the character of the other. The late Dr. Townson, who published his valuable Discourses on the Gospels when Bishop Bagot, whom he had known from his infancy, was Dean of Christ Church, presented a copy of the Work to each of the Societies, Magdalen and Christ Church, of which he had been member, with appropriate inscriptions in each. In the copy given to Christ Church this was written: "For the Library of Christ Church in which College he bad the happiness of beginning his academical studies; and to which he gratefully wishes perpetual prosperity, under a succession of Deans as worthy to preside as the present."

It so happened that I had the honour to be in company with a quondam Student of Christ Church, now an ornament of the House of Peers, Soon after the decease of Dr. Jackson, of whom his Lordship was pleas ed to speak with high regard and esteem; and then added, "But the credit of putting every thing in excellent order is due to Bagot; Jackson had only to proceed in the track already marked out for him." To this just testimony it is needless to add the suffrage of a Member of the same University, though not of the same House, who will ever love and revere the memory of Bishop Bagot; of whom it may be truly said, as it was of an ancient Sage, that "to remember Bishop Bagot is a lesson of virtue." R. C.

Mr. URBAN,

April 2. HAVE during my whole life been

attached to Literature, and its advancement has always been a favourite object with me. I have often congratulated myself on living at a time when, by the exertions of sound and acute Critics, the text of the Classic Authors is so greatly improved, that we are enabled to understand and relish their beauties, of which, without the assistance of these able pioneers, we could have en

"SUUM CUIQUE," p. 3, for his very satisfactory"Defence of Bishop Bagot." The merit of the late Dean of Christ Church, like that of his predecessor, was eminently great; and it is equally unjust and uunecessary to depreciate either, in order, GENT. MAG. May, 1820.

idea. With these sentiments, the importance of Classical Studies bas always appeared to me great; and it is natural that I should have felt desirous that my own Country, so preeminent in other respects, should also shine in my favourite department of

Litera

Literature, and our possessing so many great Critics, whose names would have done honour to any age and country, has ever been a subject of pride and pleasure to me. Germany has also for many years justly boasted of the labours of her sons in restoring the remains of the Classic Writers. I was tempted to visit that Country a short time ago, and became acquainted with some of those eminent men, whose studies have been particularly directed to this class of Literature: my conversation with them was mostly on literary topics; and when speaking of the contemporary Critics of both Countries, these Gentlemen did ample justice to our Nation, and expressed themselves with the candour and praise due to our deservedly celebrated men. But they also spoke with surprise of a taste for Classical Research not being more general amongst us, particularly as so many of our youth possessed the advantages of liberal education; and they seemed to think that the number of our Countrymen who understood and valued the remains of Greece and Rome were comparatively very few. I could not but confess that we bestowed less time and attention on the dead languages than themselves, and that they were certainly less generally understood by us.

These conversations led me afterwards to reflect on the cause of the German nation being so much more devoted to Classical pursuits than the English, and I found various reasons conspired to produce such an effect. Their being obliged to abstain from political disquisition, and our extreme fondness for it, which so much withdraws the attention from more quiet pursuits, appeared to me as one cause. Another doubtless proceeds from so many more of our Nation entering into Commercial engagements, which are too often allowed to occupy us entirely, and to prevent our pursuit of literary attainments. But a very principal cause proceeds, I am convinced, from their having possessed an advantage which I think we have not been ready enough to perceive; they have had elementary works in their own language, while we have been content with the old system of gaining our knowledge from works in a dead

one. But I am happy to perceive that this greatest of all obstructions to our acquaintance with the writers of antiquity, is fast sinking before us.

Dr. Valpy, by his excellent Greek and Latin Grammars, in which the rules are written in our own tongue, has done much for our Schools. Dr. Carey's English work on “Latin Prosody" has smoothed the path to the attainment of that difficult subject. We have long enjoyed the benefit of Seale's English Tract on Greek Metre, but the introduction of many new metrical canons since his time, has rendered his work almost useless and perplexing to Students. Mr. Webb's Elements of Greek Prosody and Metre," written in English, and recently published, has, however, removed this difficulty, and by the assistance of this useful and excellent guide, our youth may triumph over the obstacles which before prevented their obtaining a ready knowledge of that abstruse subject. Other Gentlemen have also written elementary works in English, of great value to learners; and it is my wish to encou rage more to pursue this beneficial course, which induces me to trouble you, Mr. Urban, with this address. For the path to the Temple of Learning being made less rugged, we may justly expect that the number of those will be greater who desire to enter her portal, and thus will English Gentlemen be more generally furnished with sources of the highest entertainment, than they at present enjoy.

With most earnest wishes for the good old cause of Learning, I remain, yours, &c. J. H. S.

Mr. URBAN, May 4. THE invention of letters being one

of philological science, and a subject of profound research, hath afforded an ample scope for disquisition among the learned. After all, Sir, there being no certain monument of alphabelic writing known before the time of Moses, and the Law of the Two Tables, it seems the most safe to rest the subject as derived from that source and period. The invention of letters, however, did not rest with the production of the first and original writing by Moses, but afforded a grand example for the introduction

of