-Ducrow has opened an amphitheatre in Liverpool, and divides his company between that town and Edinburgh. The individual whom he called the "Grotesque" here, he designates in Liverpool the "Reptile, or man of many forms."-A person of the name of Frimbley has opened a theatre in Dumfries. Miss Nicol is his prima donna.-Peake's comedy of "The Chancery Suit" is in re

hearsal here, as also "Cinderella."

THE Bishop of Blois characterised Sir John Sinclair as "the most indefatigable man in Britain, and the man in Europe of the greatest acquaintance.' The work now before us seems of itself to make good this praise, even without taking into consideration all the previous labours, voluminous as they have been, of the venerable Baronet. The mass of correspondence and reminiscences, both domestic and foreign, which these two volumes contain, is almost, if not entirely, without a parallel in any similar publication. Nor are any of the letters from persons of inferior note and consideration; but, on the contrary, are nearly all from those who have held the most prominent station among their fellow-men in every department into which society is divided, from the monarch on his throne to the man of letters in his closet. Classed under different heads, we have Imperial and Royal Correspondence and Reminiscences,-Correspondence with British Cabinet Ministers, and Reminiscences of them, -Female Correspondence,-Naval,-Military,—Cleri

Price 6d.

sisting of 600 men, the first of that description of force levied for the service of Great Britain, fencible corps having been formerly restricted to the defence of Scotland. He afterwards raised another battalion of 1000 men for the defence of Ireland. In the promotion of all useful public institutions he has ever exerted himself unweariedly; and was the founder and first president of the Board of Agriculture. His literary labours have been multifarious and important; among these, the "Statistical Account of Scotland," extending to twenty-one volumes octavo, the "Code of Health and Longevity," in four volumes octavo, and the "Code of Agriculture," in one, stand pre-eminent.

From the mass of materials which the "Correspondence and Reminiscences" present, it is impossible that we can do more than select a few detached extracts, as specimens of the general contents of a work which abounds in entertainment, interest, and instruction, and which we have no doubt will be read with pleasure, not only by Sir John Sinclair's numerous friends and acquaintances, but by all who like to see additional sources of information opened up concerning the illustrious persons of the last half century. We commence our quotations with the following account of a sovereign who possessed the mind of a man in the body of a female:

AUDIENCE OF THE EMPRESS CATHERINE, AND REMINISCENCES
OF HER CHARACTER.

"On the 25th August, 1786, I had the honour of being presented to this great sovereign. The court commenced about half past eleven. The rooms were filled with about 400 courtiers. At twelve, the empress came from her private apartments to go to mass. A lane was made for her and her suite. She was preceded by the Princess Dashkow, and six or seven other ladies. The reason why there were no more present, was, that the ladies only came when the court was held in the evening, unless when they attended

cal,—Agricultural,—Statistical,—Medical,―Political, Literary, and Miscellaneous Correspondence and Reminiscences. Then, in the second volume, we have an abstract of the author's travels over the continent of Europe, with the correspondence and reminiscences of the most distinguished natives of every country through which he passed, together with some very interesting correspond-officially. Count Czernichew, vice-president of the admi

ence with the first men of America.

ralty, took me to the chapel to hear mass. It was a very Prefixed to the whole is an Introduction, containing a poor building for such a ceremony; but the priests, with short account of the author and his writings. Sir John their long beards and rich vestments, made a striking and Sinclair was born at Thurso Castle on the 10th of May, imposing appearance. The empress stood by herself, and 1754. The foundation of his classical knowledge was went through all the ceremonies with great decorum. When laid at the High School of Edinburgh, and he afterwards the service was over, I went to the hall where strangers attended the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and were introduced, and was presented to Prince Potemkin. He was tall, (about six feet two,) and distinguished, not Oxford. In 1775, he became a member of the Faculty only by his height, but by the strength and manliness of of Advocates, and was afterwards called to the English his appearance. His countenance was not unpleasant, when bar, not with any view to practice, but that he might he was disposed to be agreeable. He entered with great become acquainted with the laws of his country. In affability into conversation with me, which was uncommon 1780, he was unanimously elected the representative of at a first introduction. He spoke with much contempt of his native county of Caithness, where he had introduced the King of Sweden. He afterwards talked of my intended many of the most important agricultural and other im- journey to Poland, where he had great estates; and expressed a wish that I should give him some advice how to provements. He continued an active member of the improve them. The return of the empress being announced, House of Commons, with the exception of a short inter- the foreign ministers, and those strangers who had been val, till July 1811, a period of nearly thirty years. His already presented, kissed her hand. I was then introduced eldest son, George Sinclair, Esq., succeeded to the seat by Count Osterman. She asked me how I came to Peterswhich he then resigned. In 1786, Sir John took a very burgh?-if I had had a pleasant voyage?—and added, that extensive journey through the northern parts of Europe, Swedish officer, and some of her own subjects, were aftershe hoped I would find my stay in Russia agreeable. A in the course of which he visited Gottenburg, Copen-wards introduced; but she spoke to none of them. In short, hagen, Stockholm, Riga, Petersburg, Moscow, Kiew, Warsaw, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris. In 1794 he raised a regiment of fencibles, con

I found that I had met with what was considered to be a most gracious reception, as she hardly spoke to any but persons of considerable distinction. The court had fallen

off much from its ancient splendour. To check the spirit of luxury and expense, provincial, and even official uniforms had been introduced, and none but foreigners were richly habited.

"The mode of living adopted by the empress was extremely regular. She rose between six and seven, and dedicated the morning entirely to business. She dined about one, and after dinner retired to her cabinet. The evening was devoted to amusements of a general nature, either at the theatre, or in the palace, with a select company of her private friends.

"Her information, particularly in regard to political subjects, was very general and extensive. The instructions, written by her own hand, for drawing up a code of laws, is a most extraordinary performance for a woman; being, I believe, the only instance extant of female judicial legislation.* I have seen her correspondence with the famous Buffon, which proves how well she was acquainted with 'philosophical subjects. She knew the French belles lettres perfectly, and, in 1786, was reading Shakspeare in the German translation. She also wrote comedies herself; and in any part of the world would have been accounted, in private life, a most accomplished woman.

"Her skill in government was great. In any progress through her dominions, she suffered the meanest peasant to address her; and they universally called her by the friendly and emphatic name of matouskin, or mother. To the army, and to the guards in particular, she was very attentive; and on certain fixed days dined at a table with the officers of the different corps. Neither was the church neglected; for besides much attention to individuals of character and respect in that order, and a strict performance of all the outward forms of religion, she proved her zeal and devotion, by working, with her own hands, as the priests believed or asserted, the most magnificent vestments, for the use of the principal ecclesiastics of her empire, when they celebrated public worship on any important festival.

distinguished statesmen which France then possessed; and to dedicate the evening to the society of the gay. Being a Member of the British Parliament, and known, from my History of the Revenue, as an author, I everywhere met with a most friendly reception. Having received an invitation to a family dinner with Monsieur Necker, I went early, and had the pleasure of finding the ladies occupied in a manner peculiarly gratifying to the national feelings of a Scotchman; for Madame Necker was reading Blair's Sermons, and Mademoiselle Necker playing Lochaber no more,' on the piano. Monsieur Necker, overwhelmed by the pressure of public business, did not appear till immediately before dinner; and even before the cloth was removed, he received two or three letters, which he seemed to peruse with considerable interest. Madame Necker said, that they probably related to the great political contest, which he was then carrying on with Monsieur de Calonne, and which ultimately terminated in the removal of that minister from the helm.

"When preparing for my return to London, I sent a note to Madame Necker, containing many grateful acknowledgments for the attention paid me by her family, and a promise, at the same time, to send her daughter (afterwards so celebrated as M. de Stael) some Scotch music, the beauties of which, I hoped, would induce her to honour Scotland with a visit. Though young, the answer she sent is expressed with that vivacity and elegance which distinguished her future writings.+

Mademoiselle Necker to Sir John Sinclair. "Je suis bien reconnoissante de l'aimable attention de Monsieur Sinclair, et je suis chargée de l'en remercier au nom de Maman et au mien. Je chanterai ces airs avec un intérêt nouveau. La patrie de Monsieur Sinclair me sera moins étrangère. Nous serons charmé de le voir. Mon père et ma mère n'ont aucune commission qu'ils puissent le prier d'executer; mais ils lui renouvelleront, avec plaisir, l'assurance des sentimens distingués qu'il leur a inspiré."

Among the Correspondence with the British Cabinet Ministers, and Reminiscences of them, we find a number of highly interesting names, such as those of North, Pitt, Fox, Melville, Perceval, Castlereagh, Canning, Thurlow, Erskine, Lansdowne, Hastings, Bathurst, Windham, and others. posThe following passage cannot fail to attract attention:

"She had a number of personal favourites, to whom she was very liberal. She was particularly attached to Landskoi, and attended him personally during his sickness, like a wife. She was, for some time, as inconsolable for him as Elizabeth of England was for Essex. It is said, that he was the handsomest man that could be seen; but naturally of so weak a constitution, that he was unable to support the life of a courtier. Potemkin made the quickest of all sible journeys from the Crimea, in order to console her. He came in a kibicki, or common cart, the whole way. Rushing into her apartment, he said, 'What is the matter with my empress?' and when she answered that she was weeping for the death of Landskoi, he replied, Why, he was a fool! Ah!' said the empress, but he had an honest heart.'

REMINISCENCES OF LORD MELVILLE.

"Lord Melville began his political labours by enquiries into the affairs of the East India Company, to whom he performed the most important services. In 1784, he prevented the extinction of the Company as an independent Corporation. In the space of eighteen years, he raised the "To her ministers she was very liberal, and in general value of the stock from 118% to 214, or 93% of additional followed their advice, except when she chose to let them price per L. 100 stock; and by his means some of the ablest feel, that there were times when she preferred being both and most distinguished characters in the kingdom were her own, and their mistress. When left entirely to herself, sent to India, under whose auspices the territorial possesand compelled to determine on matters of importance, it is sions of the Company became an immense empire, prosaid that she was apt to betray some versatility and weak-ducing a great revenue, and containing above sixty millions

ness.

"When I visited her court, she was puffed up, beyond all bounds, by the success of her reign, and the consideration in which she was held by every power in Europe. She certainly in her heart preferred the English to the French, and the Danes to the Swedes. In regard to the Germans, it was more from personal attachment to the emperor, and their joint views upon Turkey, than from a full conviction of the policy of the measure, that she preferred the Austrian to the Prussian alliance."

To this amusing narrative we shall add a notice of another female hardly less distinguished, but whom Sir John Sinclair knew before she stood forth in the blaze of her reputation:

MADAME DE STAEL.

"In January 1786, I took an excursion to Paris, and, in the employment of my time there, endeavoured to combine useful and agreeable occupations. With that view, I was accustomed to spend my mornings with the learned; to dine with the Count de Vergennes, M. Necker, and the other

Upon examining the original MS., which is carefully preserved in the repositories of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, I observed, that the whole of it was not published. The following paragraph, in particular, upon the subject of marriage, was omitted: "Les filles sont assez portées au mariage. Ce sont les garçons qu'il faut encourager."

|

of inhabitants. He also brought the affairs of the Company into so high a degree of order, that he was enabled, for the first time, to lay before Parliament, An Indian Budget,' He was afterwards appointed Secretary of State for the War Department; and by his means a martial spirit was spread over the whole country, and a military force accumulated, which secured the nation from any risk of being conquered, should an invasion be attempted. His talents were next directed, first as Treasurer of the Navy, and afterwards as first Lord of the Admiralty, to the improvement of our naval resources; and impartial observers have justly considered him as the best friend the navy ever had. If Lord Melville, however, had done nothing else but planned and executed the expedition to Egypt, his fame would have been established as one of the greatest benefactors to his country. Who can think of the battle of the Nile, or the victory of Alexandria, without gratitude to that great Minister, by whom those achievements were planned, and without whose exertions and genius they could never have been successfully executed? These magnificent events first roused the different nations of Europe secretly to indulge the hope of emancipation from the yoke of France. They proved the immense resources of the British empire,-the

*She was born at Paris, on April the 22d, 1766, and consequently was then in the twentieth year of her age.

† Madame de Stael's Works, when collected, amount to 18 vols. 8vo.

talents of those who governed the country,-the valour of its sailors and soldiers,-and the superior skill and ability of those by whom they were commanded.

opinion as to the measures that ought to be pursued at such a crisis.' I suggested the idea of a Loyalty Loan, and that every individual should be called upon, in proportion to his "Lord Melville, when he first became a member of the income, to lend a sum of money to Government, at a fair House of Commons, never thought of entering into the interest, according to the rate at the time. He entered at field of politics; he was considered merely as an able Scots once into the idea. It was subsequently carried into effect, lawyer. It appears, indeed, from the subjoined letter, that and ultimately produced those taxes on income and prothe Ministers at the time had no idea of availing them-perty which enabled us to carry on the war, and to bring selves of the great talents he possessed, as an orator and it to so happy a conclusion." champion in the House.

Letter from the Lord Advocate Dundas to Sir John

Sinclair.

"Edinburgh, 20th November, 1781. "Dear Sir,-I have received yours of the 11th. It is only your partiality which overvalues the importance of my presence in Parliament, for no person whatever has pade any request to me to attend.

"Indeed, it would be most disagreeable and inconvenient for me to come before Christmas; but I am so little accustomed to put my own convenience in competition with the wishes, or the interests, of my friends, that I volunteered in offering to come, if there was any anxiety about it; but there is none, for I have never received any answer to my letter.

"As to the small stills, it is simply impossible that any movement can be made in it, at least before the holydays. Hitherto I have found all my attempts to get at the truth very unsuccessful. I send you enclosed some observations made upon your calculations, the author of which is very positive as to the truth of the data upon which he proceeds. I am, with great regard, dear sir, yours sincerely,

"JOHN SINCLAIR, Esq.

" HENRY DUNDAS.

"But he whose presence in Parliament was not requested by the Minister, and for whose attendance no anxiety was felt by any one, soon afterwards burst forth a great political meteor, and became the chief prop of the party whose interests he had espoused.

"I have often heard him, however, lament his having abandoned his original profession as a Scotch lawyer. Had I remained,' he said, at the Scotch bar, I must soon have reached one of the highest judicial offices in Scotland, and might have spent a life of comfort and independence. In the important capacity of a judge, I might have been of use to my native country; whereas, by entering on the career of politics, I have been exposed to much obloquy, and have latterly experienced the basest ingratitude.'

We do not recollect to have seen before the two amusing anecdotes of the Lord Chancellor Erskine which we subjoin:

ANECDOTES OF LORD ERSKINE.-" Lord Erskine was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were remarkable for their wit and powers of conversation. The learned Lord was particularly addicted to punning, of which I recollect the following instance:-I happened accidentally to inform him, that a female relation of his was unwell. He asked me what was the nature of her complaint. My answer was, Water in her chest.'-' If that is the case,' he replied, she is not much to be pitied. It is very lucky, in these hard times, to have any thing in one's chest.'

"Lord Erskine used frequently to compose short epigrams, which often contained much point and humour. As a specimen, may be mentioned four lines he wrote on hearing that the spurs of Napoleon had been found in the imperial carriage after the battle of Waterloo. Lord Erskine said, they ought to be presented to the Prince Regent, with this inscription :

These Napoleon left behind,
Flying swifter than the wind;

Needless to him when buckled on,
Wanting no spur but Wellington.'

Lord North's:
Not less entertaining is the following good saying of

ANECDOTE OF LORD NORTH.

North's happiness of allusion, and playfulness of mind. He "The following anecdote will give some idea of Lord was often fulled into a profound sleep by the somniferous oratory of some of the parliamentary speakers. Sir Grey Cooper (one of the secretaries of the Treasury) meanwhile took notes of the principal arguments of his opponents, which, by glancing his eye over the paper, Lord North was enabled immediately to answer. On a naval question, a member thought proper to give an historical detail of the origin and progress of ship-building, which he deduced from, Noah's ark, and, in regular order, brought down to the Spanish Armada. Sir Grey inadvertently awoke his lordship at this period; who asked, to what era the honourable gentleman had arrived? Being told, to the reign of Queen Elizabeth,' he instantly replied, Dear Sir Grey, why did you not let me sleep a century or two more ?'"

Among his female correspondents, Sir John Sinclair has the good fortune to rank, besides Madame de Stael, the Princess Daschkow, Madame de Genlis, the Duchess of Gordon, Lady Craven, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs Abing ton, Miss Joanna Baillie, and Mrs Hannah More. following account of the circumstances which led to the production of Miss Baillie's play of "The Family Legend" on the Edinburgh stage will be read with interest:

MISS JOANNA BAILLIE.

The

"My private intercourse with Lord Melville led to some events which it may be proper here to detail. "In December 1805, I happened to meet with the noble Lord at St James's, when he said to me, It is a long time, Sir John, since you have been at Wimbledon. Name any time when you can spend a day with us, and we shall be most happy to see you.' By accident I fixed upon the last day of that year. Upon reaching Wimbledon to dinner, I found Mr Pitt there. Lady Melville, and the beautiful Miss Duncan, (afterwards Lady Dalrymple Hamilton,) were the only ladies present. We spent the evening principally in conversation, but also played a short time at cards; and about eleven we went to bed. As soon as I got up next morning, I proceeded to Mr Dundas's library, where I found him reading a long paper on the importance of conquering the Cape of Good Hope, to add to the security of our Indian possessions. I said to him, on entering, "I come, Mr Dundas, to wish you a good new year, and many happy returns of it.' His answer I shall never forget; I hope that this year will be happier than the last, for I scarcely recollect having spent one happy day in the whole of it." On this remark the following reflections naturally occurred: Here I am living in the same house with the two men the most looked up to, and the most envied of any in this country. I have just heard the declaration of the one, and I am convinced that the feelings of "From respect to her great talents, and desire to see the other are not materially different. Can any thing more them successfully employed, I took the liberty of suggesting strongly prove the miseries attending political pursuits?' to her the composition of a tragedy, more adapted for stage "After breakfast Mr Pitt asked me to return to London effect; and, as an inducement to undertake the task, proin his carriage, when he immediately commenced a politi-posed that she should dedicate the profits of the play to a cal conversation. He said, that the finances of the country were getting into a state of great disorder, from the enormous expenses of the war; and he was apprehensive that it would be extremely difficult to raise the necessary supplies for carrying it on much longer. He then added, As you have attended so much to those subjects, and have written the history of our finances, I should be glad to have your

"There is no dramatist of modern times more distinguished for splendour of genius, or poetic powers, than Miss Joanna Baillie. In her style of composition, she often resembles Shakspeare. It was much to be lamented, therefore, that her plays, though fitted to make a powerful im-, pression in the closet, were less adapted for representation on the stage; and that she had taken a particular prejudice against the London theatres, in consequence of a play written by her, though possessed of great merit, not having succeeded.

.

specific charitable purpose. I had sket hed out the plan of a tragedy, On the Fall of Darius,' which seemed to me an excellent subject; and had sent the plan to Dr Baillie, to be communicated to his sister. The following is the reply which I received from the Doctor, enclosing Miss Baillie's answer to my proposal. As it does her much credit, I think it right to preserve her letter in this publication.

"Nov. 20, 1805. "Dear Sir,-I enclose to you my sister's answer relative to your proposal. I hope it may prove serviceable to Mr -'s family, if it be agreeable to them to be assisted in this way.

"The public will be gratified when your work upon health and longevity comes out, as it will comprehend every thing which is known upon this important subject. I remain, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant, "M. BAILLIE.

The first volume alone of this important work contains fourteen Parts, each comprising a distinct set of Correspondence and Reminiscences. We must at present conclude with a short extract from the fourth part--the Naval Correspondence,-promising to give our readers some extracts from the remainder of the volume next week. This they will thank us for the more, as we have been politely favoured with the earliest copy of the work in sheets, which is not yet entirely out of the printer's hands:

SINGULAR NAVAL ANECDOTE,

Communicated by the late Earl Manvers.

"Captain Swanton happened to command a 70 gun ship, The Vanguard, (we had then no 74's in our service); and was cruizing with Admiral Hawke, off the coast of France, in the hope of intercepting a French fleet from Louisburgh, when his ship was so damaged in a gale, that he was ordered home to refit; and in his way to Portsmouth, he most unfortunately came within sight of the very fleet that Hawke was in expectation of intercepting. The French, seeing an English ship of war so much disabled, and apparently quite alone, thought it would be an easy conquest; but to insure its immediate surrender, the Admiral, by a signal, detached an 80 gun ship, and a 74, to take possession. The officers of the Vanguard, knowing the state of their own vessel, and seeing such a superior force coming against them, gave themselves up for lost, and said to the Captain, 'It is impossible to stand against such fearful odds; we must make up our minds to see Brest. No, gentlemen,' said Captain Swanton, a ship of this force must not be surrendered by a British crew, whilst there is any hope of safety. Go to the last!' your quarters, prepare for action, and let us fight it out to

"Hampstead, October 19, 1805. "My Dear Brother, I have considered the proposal contained in Sir John Sinclair's letter, and the ingenious sketch for a tragedy that accompanies it, with the attention "In the year 1807, I happened to pay a visit at Thoresby they deserve; and very much regret it is not in my power Park, in Nottinghamshire, the seat of my friend Lord to make the good use of them which he does me the honour Manvers, who had been bred to the sea, and who recollectto suppose I might, and which I should have so much plea-ed, when young, the following singular anecdote of Captain, sure in attempting. You may well know I am so circum- afterwards Admiral Swanton: stanced, that I cannot possibly offer any play for representation to either Drury-Lane or Covent-Garden, nor suffer one of my writing to be offered to either of those theatres through any medium whatever. To give up all idea, however, of being useful to a worthy family, on whom bad fortune has borne so hard, is very painful to me; and, therefore, though I cannot undertake what Sir John has pointed out, there is another way in which I might attempt to serve them; and if it should meet with his approbation, and be at the same time perfectly agreeable to Mr and his family, I shall set myself to work in it most cheerfully; that is, to write a tragedy upon some interesting, but more private and domestic story than that of Darius, which appears to me only fitted for the splendour of a large theatre, and to put it into Sir John's hands, to be offered to the Edinburgh theatre, or any theatre in the United Kingdom he may think proper, those of London excepted. If the piece should prove successful, though it might not bring in a large sum from representation, yet it might be published afterwards, in any way that should be thought most advantageous for Mr and his family, (whose property I should completely consider it as having become,) and produce something considerable. "I beg you will communicate this proposal to Sir John Sinclair, along with my acknowledgments for the obliging expressions on my account contained in his letter, and for the pleasure I have received in reading his outline of a tragedy, which, if properly filled up, would no doubt make a striking spectacle in a grand theatre such as Drury Lane. "When he has considered it, I hope he will have the goodness to let you know his opinion, without loss of time; and if it is favourable, no exertion in my power shall be wanting to complete the work.

"The play having been composed, was represented on the Edinburgh stage. I was not present, but received from a correspondent there, the following account of the reception it met with:

"Miss Baillie's play went off with loud applause. The house was very full, and it is to be repeated every night this week. Henry Mackenzie furnished an excellent epilogue. Some of the critics here, think the inferior characters have too much to do, as they were very badly sustained here; but that objection would be obviated on a London theatre.' "Upon sending this account of the reception her play had met with at Edinburgh, to Miss Baillie, I had the pleasure of receiving the following communication from her:

"Miss J. Baillie presents her compliments and thanks to Sir John Sinclair, for the honour of his obliging note, and the extract of a letter which accompanied it. Nothing can be more highly gratifying to her, than the very favourable reception her Highland play has met with from her countrymen at Edinburgh, and the kind interest her friends everywhere have taken in its success; and it is an addition to her satisfaction to think, that it may still, in one way or other, be made of some small use to the family, for whose benefit it was originally written, if such assistance should

still be wanted.*

"Hampstead, Feb. 7, 1810.'"

In the Scotch Magazine for February 1810, there is a critical analysis of Miss Baillie's play, to which she had given the name of "The Family Legend." Its appearance, it is said, ought to be considered as forming an era in the literary history of Edinburgh; for, since Douglas, no tragedy had made its first appearance on the Edinburgh stage, or at least had attracted general attention. The beauties of the Family Legend indeed are such, as to establish its claim to be ranked as a popular and pleasing addition to our stock of acting plays.

"No situation could apparently be more completely desperate. The French 80 gun ship came vapouring down, gave the Englishman a broadside, but was surprised to find, that instead of striking, it returned the fire with great spirit and effect. The 74, when it approached, met with the same reception. This astonished not only those two ships, but the French Admiral, and his whole fleet. They began to conjecture, that the disabled ship was merely a decoy, and that Hawke must be near, otherwise no officer in his senses, would have made any resistance against so great a superiority; and apprehending, if the action continued, that their ships might receive so much injury as to be an easy prey, if Hawke actually should appear, the French Admiral was induced to recall the two ships, and Captain Swanton, by his spirited and judicious conduct, was thus enabled, after beating off so great a force, to rescue himself from his desperate situation, and to bring his ship triumphantly into Portsmouth.

"On the road from Thoresby, I was led to reflect on the circumstances above detailed, and it accidentally occurred to me, how much better it would be, instead of teaching children the Fables of Esop, or of Pilpay, or giving them allegorical instructions of any sort, to communicate to them anecdotes of real life, and stories of their own species. It is absurd in the extreme to tell our children, that lions and other animals formerly conversed together, and that men, the lords of the creation, could possibly benefit by their remarks. Nor are the fictitious stories of Allworthy and Tommy Goodchild much better. The question the children naturally ask is, 'But is the story true? And when they find that it never actually happened, it loses all its effect. Let a collection therefore be made, of real anecdotes of the human species, adapted to the capacity of children, and the impression made upon their minds will be infinitely greater, much more lasting, and still more useful, than can be expected from any fictitious stories, either of birds, or of quadrupeds, or even of men."

In conclusion, we must not forget to allude to the highly curious and interesting collection of about two hundred autographs which accompany and illustrate these volumes. We do not recollect to have seen anywhere a more complete or diversified set of fac-similes of the handwriting of eminent individuals. It gives us pleasure to observe, that in speaking of this collection, Sir John alludes