which every man of taste and learning discovers in some of the classics, and which is not to be found in the generality of modern compositions. Such an attention to propriety and elegance of style is of the greatest importance, as no production can be read with pleasure, or transmitted to posterity with applause, if it is defective in this respect. It should likewise be considered, that the literary character of a nation will always depend on the accuracy and elegance of its publications. Since the beginning of the present century the English language has been much improved and refined. Several able writers have examined its principles, and pointed out its beauties and defects, with a critical and philosophical investigation. I must, however, observe, that many enormous solecisms still appear in almost all the productions of our English writers, such as, You was. This expression sometimes occurs in books, is often heard in conversation, and frequently echoes through the caverns of Westminster-hall. The nominative case is the second person plural; and the verb, to which it is united, is the first or the third person singular. More or most universal. Its success was not more universal, Gibbon, vol. II. p. 357. Money is the most universal incitement of human industry, id. vol. I. p. 356; vol. III. p. 66, &c. Company more universally acceptable, Zeluco, vol. I. p. 398. That which pleases most universally is religion, Blair's Serm. vol. II. p. 168. What is universal cannot admit of augmentation. Of all others. The profession, of all others, for which he was the fittest. Zeluco, vol. I. pp. 75, 110. The most precious of all others. Anachar. vol. III. p. 288. It is that species of goodness, with which, of all others, we are best acquainted. Blair's Serm. vol. II. p. 129. To collect a dictionary seems a work, of all others, least practicable in a state of blindness. Johnson's Life of Milton, p. 169. This expression resembles the following absurdity in Milton. "Adam, the goodliest man of men since born B. iv. 323. I would not attempt to vindicate Milton, as some have done, by pleading, that this is a figure of speech, or a poetic licence, I would rather say with Horace, it is one of the "Maculæ, quas aut incuria fudit, Ar. P. 352. No apology, however, can be made for the foregoing expression in prose. Either side. Either sex and every age was engaged in the pursuits of industry. Gibbon, vol. I. 452. He retired with a multitude of captives of either sex, ib. IV. 281. Filled with a great number of persons of either sex. Ib. vol. II. 324 alibi passim. "In that violent conflict of parties he [Edward Smith] had a prologue and epilogue from the first wits on either side." Johnson's Lives, vol. II. p. 248. Either signifies only the one or the other; and is improperly used instead of each in the singular number, or both in the plural. We meet with innumerable writers who talk of looking into the womb of Time. But this expression suggests a gross and indelicate idea, and is in itself absurd; for, Time, according to the mythologists, is an old fellow, the Chronos or Saturn of the ancients, and consequently has no womb. All personifications ought to be consistent. An accusative or objective case after a passive participle. He [Thomson] was taught the common rudiments of learning. Johnson's Lives, vol. IV. p. 252. He [Watts] was taught Latin by Mr. Pinhorne. Ib. p. 278. He [Milton] was offered the continuance of his employment. Ib. vol. I. 183. Thus I have been told the story. Telem. vol. I. p. 92, edit. 1795. It would be better to say, he was instructed in the rudiments of learning; he learned Latin under the tuition of Mr. Pinhorne; the king, or the ministry, offered to continue him in his former employment; thus I have heard the story; or, thus I have been informed. The author of these remarks has observed, with regret, the last of these expressions in a translation, which he wished to give the public in an unexceptionable style. But he has been long convinced, that no work was ever published without some inadvertencies of the author and printer. Two highwaymen were hung this morning. This is a common vulgarism. We should rather say, two highwaymen were hanged. This verb should be used in the regular form, when it signifies to execute, and in the irregular, when it denotes only suspension: as, he was hanged, and afterwards hung in chains. The eldest of the two. Her eldest son Esau, Gen. xxvii. 15. When only two things are mentioned, there cannot be what grammarians sometimes call the third degree of comparison. In this case we should say, the younger, the elder, the wiser, the better, &c. The conjunction nor is frequently used after an affirmative sentence very improperly, in this oner: It was impossible that a soldier coud esteem so dissolute a sovereign, nor is it easy to conceal a just contempt. Gibbon, vol. II. 5. Modern Europe has produced several illustrious women, who have sustained with glory the weight of empire; nor is our own age destitute of such distinguished characters. Ib. 32. This treacherous calm was of short du ration; nor could the Christians of the East place any confidence in the character of their sovereign. Ib. vol. II. 487. alibi passim. He was young enough to receive new impres sions; nor can he be supposed to have wanted curiosity. Johnson's Lives, vol. IV. 259. The Poet leads us through the appearances of things as they are successively varied nor is the Naturalist without his part in the entertainment. Ib. p. 273. The versification is tolerable, nor can criticism allow it a higher praise. Ib. p. 438. By the Spectator it has once been quoted, nor do I recollect much other notice from its publication till now. Ib. vol. I. p. 77. To put their materials to practical use is required an imagination capable of painting nature; nor is he yet a poet till, &c. Ib. p. 235. All is general and undefined; nor does he much interest or affect the auditor. Ib. vol. II. p. 340. This ode is by far the best lyric composition in this collection; nor do I know where to find it equalled among the modern writers. Ib. p. 245. It would, I think, be much better to begin the latter part of these sentences without this conjunction, which only seems to form a connection, but in reality has no corresponding negative. The simple independent word not would be preferable: he does not much interest; I do not even know, &c. Among other expressions, equally correct and refined, we meet with the following sentence in the Preface to Maty's Sermons: "nor was he less esteemed than beloved:" which is just as proper as it would be to say, Mr. Maty was a good man, nor was he a bad preacher. In this passage the learned editors of these discourses have likewise given us a curious antithesis, a counterpoise of love and esteem, adjusted with as much care as the old woman balances her scales in the Iliad. I have been more particular in noting this use of the conjunction nor, because it occurs very frequently. But vulgar usage can never justify an absurdity. The impropriety, I believe, has never yet been observed; and some, perhaps, may think the foregoing expressions unexceptionable. I shall not dispute with critics who are so easily satisfied. 1797, July. EUSEBIUS. CXI. Addison's Observation on Virgil's ACHATES. MR. URBAN, Sunderland, July 17. IN an Essay on Friendship, No. 385 of the Spectator, the good Mr. Addison says, "I do not remember that Achates, who is represented as the first favourite, either gives his advice, or strikes a blow, through the whole Æneid." The learned Dr. Joseph Warton quotes this passage in his second volume of Virgil, p. 74*, but says nothing thereon. In the 12th book of the Eneid, I find, in line 459, "Epulonem obtruncat Achates." To the character of the faithful Achates, as a soldier, I offer this tribute of acknowledgment, not having noticed it elsewhere in the course of my reading. 1798, July. C. A. CXII. Latin Preface intended by Burton for his History of MR. URBAN, Leicestershire. Hartshorn, Dec. 21. THE following unpublished original, which I promised you in my last, being doubtless intended by the author as a Preface to his Leicestershire, which he afterwards changed into the published English one, I hope you will think worthy preservation in your Magazine. "Will'mus Burton, Lindliacus, Leicestrensis, amico lectori salutem. "Cum in omni genere cognitionis, scientia antiquitatum In the third edition, p. 117. E. rerumque veterum et præteritarum sit dignissima et maxime laudabilis, tum, ut mihi videtur, earum conservatio, et ab ima oblivione sive interitu vindicatio æquam meretur laudem. Quum enim ego non ita pridem in libellum incidi qui antiquitates, monumenta, et multa alia notatu digna commitatus Leicestrensis, tum etiam paucorum circumjacentium comitatuum, illustravit, hoc animo animadvertens meo, nil gratius quam prodesse multis, ejiciens omnem laboris metum, aggrediendum duxi, quem rudi penna et pennicillo (ut aiunt) indocto hic depinxi, et ut nemini ingratus viderer, narrabo breviter, per quos profeci et quorum labore congestus hic liber sit. Will'mus Wyrley, patria Leicestrensis, natus, ut ipse refert, apud Seale, com. Leic. 4 Eliz. e gentilitiis Staff. oriundus, et per matrem e familia de Charnels, de Snareston, com. Leic. homo sedulus et honestus, et studio heraldico multum addictus, circa annum 1588, hunc laborem suscepit, nimirum perambulandi et colligendi antiquitates, arma gentilitia, cæteraque notatu digna, quæ in quavis ecclesia, locove celebriori infra comitatum Leicestrensem, et alibi forent spectanda, non sine impensis et labore gravi: sæpeque mili retulit (familiariter enim cum eo egi) se totum comitatum Leicestrensem, topographica, historica, et heraldica narratione, descriptum velle. Quantum hac in re progressus est pro certo non habeo; vereor enim ne impeditus negotiis, vel aliis coactus causis, propositum intermiserit: circa annum 1599 profectus est in Scotiam ad regem Jacobum, et, quantum nunc audio, circa palatium regis moratur: sed amplius de instituto suo hac in re pro comperto non teneo. Quocirca quum tam commoda et necessaria sit hæc descriptio et unicuique perutilis, ego tametsi ex minimis infimus, ex indoctis indoctissimus, exemplo inductus doctissimi et reverendissimi viri Gul. Camdeni, cui Britannia tantum debet quantum orbis Ortelio, exemplo etiam Joh'is Nordeni et Ricardi Carewe, quorum hic Cornubiam, ille Middlesexiam et Hertfordiam descripsit, tum etiam exemplo amici mei singularis et unice colendi viri literatissimi et ornatissimi Samsonis Erdeswick, de Sandon, Staffordiensis, qui accuratissime,quantum unquam aliquis, comitatus Stafford. et Cestriæ descripsit, opus grande, doctissimum, laboratissimeque navatum: sed, heu dolendum! immatura præreptus morte, in lucem non edidit sicut in animo esset suo, cujus consilii ego testis etiam esse possim ; quod opus in cujus nunc latet manibus incertum est; audivi nuper, quod penes esset Tho. Gerrard, militem, utinam in lucem prope diem prodiret in perpetuam reipublicæ utilitatem. His ego, inquam, instigatus exemplis, et his de causis permotus, |