the Mimic) as very pretty, light, fummer reading: to which the Letters of Mefirs. Erfkine and Bofwell may be added, as a proper fupplement. The little pieces in verfe, interfperfed through thefe Letters, have no difagreeable effect, as they are not the least valuable parts of the collection; but of thefe our Readers will require no tranfcripts, as we have fo frequently given them fufficient proofs of the Author's poetical merit. Of his profe-writings too, they have feen an ample fpecimen, taken from his Solyman and Almena*: but here he appears in a new light, and has ventured into the pleafant province of humour. How far he is able to make a distinguished figure in this province, in which fo few are qualified by nature to fucceed, may be in fome measure inferred from the following fhort Letter, which is neither the brightest nor the dulleft in the feries. You LETTER XXXV. Vol. I. OU must not expect the news of the world from hence: though fo near London, we are as much fequeftered as you are in the woods of ***. No couriers pafs through this place, except fuch as are difpatched from the lowland Farmers to the Salefmen in Smithfield. We know no more about the Peace than the Compilers of news-papers, or the Authors of weekly lucubrations; and the Aura politica, the whisper of the day, dies long before it reaches D "Of late, however, we have been honoured with the prefence of two eminent perfonages. One of thefe I take to have been a foreigner; for though he was himfelf dreffed like an Englishman, yet the garb of his fervant was very particular. He wore a fhort coat, variegated with fhreds and patches of several colours, and his breeches were partly in the form of trowfers, defcending to the middle of his legs. This fellow always proclaimed the approach of his mafter by found of trumpet, upon which fummons the whole village affembled to meet him. He was richly apparelled in velvet and gold, and feemed to be of a very benevolent difpofition; for he would frequently condefcend to talk to the poor inhabitants of this place, and to give them inftructions concerning their health. I was much edified by hearing him fpeak, which I could, even in my chamber, for his voice was loud, and he ufually afcended á fcaffold; but as he was a foreigner, his language was fomewhat hard to be understood. I am told that he makes it his bufinefs to go from See Review, vol. XXVI. page 254. town town to town, to preferve the health of mankind; and that, notwith landing the magnificence of his dress, he is fo humble, that he will fometimes vouchfafe to pull out the aching tooth of a Mantua-maker, or a milk maid. What an honour to human nature is fuch benevolence and humility! One thing, however, I could not but behold with indignation. This was the infufferable impertinence of his fervant. The domeftics of foreigners, I know very well, are admitted to greater liberties than thofe of our own country; but this rogue in the long breeches, was eternally playing tricks with his Master, and mimicking him even in his moft ferious and humane speeches. "The other eminent perfon who honoured us with his prefence, was no other than the celebrated Mr. Powel. A most wonderful man this! who, I fuppofe, has formerly existed in fome comet, and dropped from its tail, upon too near an approach to the earth. His common food is fire and brimftone, which he licks up with the fame avidity as a hungry peafant would a mefs of peafe-pottage. This he has done before Princes, Peers, and Potentates, to their no fmall emolument and fatiffaction. This Audax lapeti genus, has not only literally eaten afhes for bread, but even red hot cinders, and glowing charcoa; nay, fuch is his paffion for this terrible element, that were he come hungry into your kitchen, and find a Sir-Loin upon a fpit, he would eat up the fire, and leave the beef. It is very prizing that the friends of true merit, as he expreffes m his bill, have not thought of promoting him. We i age that is by no means unfavourable to men of gente. Johnfon has been honoured with a royal pend well, and Mr. Sheridan for fpeaking well; but eating well, is fti.l unrewarded; obliged to v to place; and, inftead of indulging hiaff favourite element, is under the uncomfor ing in public, and helping himself from the paultry ale-house. O Tempora! O M As we proceed through thefe le me. to rife in importance; and in the lec of ingenious criticism, and remore which evince the Author's abiltz his good tafte in polite litera MONTHLY CATALOGU E, For JUNE, 1763. RELIGIOUS and CONTROVERSIAL. Art. 1. A Difcourfe on Freedom of Thinking in Matters of ReEgion; with its just Limits and Temper, neither indifferent nor intolerant. 8vo. 5s. Fletcher. Printed at Oxford, 1763. E have here a new edition of a treatise once held in great repute, W written by the famous Dr. Taylor, on The Liberty of Prophecying. Sherwing the Unreasonableness of preferibing to other Men's Faith, and the Iniquity of perfecuting different Opinions. It was formerly printed with the Author's other works, but is now re-printed feparately, with a view, fays the Editor, "of promoting those principles, with which, in proportion as they are promoted or discountenanced, Chriftianity mult itlf Blourish or decay." For the alteration of the title, the following reason is given, and we think it fufficient to excufe the liberty taken with the good old Divine of the laft age, viz. "The old Title feems to have caufed a prejudice against even enquiry after the book, as the Editor owns was the cafe of himself, and every one of his acquaintance." It is very true, that many have been prevented from looking into this truly fenfible and candid performance, through a diflike of the original title; a title too, which was not fo properly adapted to the work, as that now given, it by the Editor: whofe benevolent view in re-printing it, at this juncture, deferves the acknowlegements of all true friends to religious freedom-Notwithstanding which, as fo many excellent treaties of this kind have appeared fince Dr. Taylor's time t, written in a fyle and manner more agreeable to the prefent tafte for literary compoAtion, it is to be feared. that our Editor will not find fo quick a fale for his impreffion as he probably expected, and we fincerely with him ;— more especially do we wifh it, as productions of this flamp do not commonly ifue from the Oxford prefs; which we hope to fee henceforth Bishop of Downe and Connor in Ireland. Writer died in the year 1667. This voluminous + Notwithstanding the style of Bifhop Taylor's writings may now be thought fomewhat exploded and uncouth, his books have been deemed not inelegant; and the efteem in which he was held, may be gathered from the following character given of him by his fucceffor, Bishop Ruft. This great Prelate, fays he, had the good humour of a Gentleman, the eloquence of an Orator, the fincy of a Poet, the acuteness of a Schoolman, the profoundnefs of a Philofopher, the wisdom of a Chancellor, the fagacity of a Prophet, the reafon of an Angel, and the piety of a Saint. He had devotion enough for a cloifter, learning enough for a univerfity, and wit enough for a college of Virtuofi: and had his parts and endowments been parcelled out among his poor Clergy that Le left behind him, it would, perhaps, have been one of the best dioPes in the world." abounding abounding in good works, fuch as may tend to promote the beft interelts of mankind, their liberties, civil and religious. Art. 2. The Scheme for erecting an Academy at Glasgow, fet forth in its own proper Colours. In a Letter from a Society of the Inhabitants of that City, who are not yet tainted with a Tafte for Literature, to their Brethren of the fame Principles at Paifley. 8vo. 6d. Glasgow, 1762. Some wicked Wag at Glasgow has amufed himself with jeering the tate and difpofitions of his townfmen, and the little regard fhewn by them to a judicious tract lately published, entitled, "The Defects of university Education," &c.* which referred particularly to the improvement of education at that place: the fmall inclination the people of Glafgow and Paisley manifelt to profit by the scheme therein recommended, this unfound Member of the Kirk has ridiculed in the character of one of a fociety united to oppofe the advancement of literary knowlege. He here fuppofes the establishment of an academy would open the narrow minds of his countrymen, and infpire them with ge nerous fentiments, which he confiders as incompatible with their prefent greedy attachment to trade; but more efpecially as tending to wear mankind from an implicit reverence to good old found prefbyterian thodoxy; which, beyond all things, they ought carefully to g against. At first view, this pamphlet may feem confined to a local pl which, in fact, it is, in fome parts; but the general character ridiculed, are to be found in many places befide Glasgow an *See Review vol. XXVI. page 234. Art. 3. A View of the Glory of the Meffiah's Kings It cannot be faid of Mr. Clarke, as was Z = When the Lord, fays he. was of affliction, and in the mid of |