resist the savage marauders. He instructed them in their own language in the means of defence, and, to prove that he could act as well as talk, observing a villain endeavouring to climb up the side of the vessel, he discharged a pistol at him with so steady an aim, that the bleeding barbarian tumbled headlong into the sea. Animated by such a leader, the ship's company, assisted by other passengers, vigorously and successfully resisted the pirates, who, after an engagement of several hours, and repeated efforts to board, retired; on their arrival at the port, the captain thanked Mr. Barrow before the Consul and a large company for preserving the ship and a valuable cargo.

At the restoration of King Charles II., he returned to Cambridge, and succeeded Dr. Hill as master of Trinity College; in this post, his conduct was disinterested, conscientious, and exemplary; he erased the permission to marry from the patent with his own hand, because he thought it contrary to the statutes; he declined keeping a carriage, which had always been done for his predecessors at the expense of the society. He did not long enjoy this situation, dying at the early age of forty-seven. The abilities and worth of Dr. Barrow, and his sermons, which required one and sometimes two hours to deliver them, are known to most general readers; and he is mentioned in this place, merely to enforce a sentiment on the minds of parents, and all persons concerned in the education of youth. The rod, although a useful auxiliary, and an indispensable article in a school, will not always succeed; in lads of a particular temperament and constitution, flogging, long persevered in, only serves to exasperate malignant passions, and confirm obdurate dullness; with boys, as well as their mothers, the still small voice of rational admonition will generally prove more effectual than the rattan; there are in all situations the mollia tempora fandi; pride and emulation properly worked upon, will often succeed, when birch, coercion, and hard words, have been made use of in vain.

BASEDOW, a native of the city of Hamburgh, in the middle of the eighteenth century, struggling, from the moment of his birth, with abject penury, and a cruel illiterate father, who answered the cries of his child for food by blows and abusive language. Yet, notwithstanding these and other impediments, he furnished himself, while a stripling, with the means of instruction, by manual labour, and, at the age of sixteen, was supported, independent of parental assistance, by affording aid to the ignorant and indolent, in the performance of their academic exercises. The young man had, at the same time, an opportunity for performing an important branch of filial duty: from the scanty superfluity of juvenile finances, he found means to furnish his mother, a poor woman shaken by child-birth, and a melancholy nervous affection, with certain little indulgences in diet, which contribute so essentially to the comfort of a trembling valetudinarian. Basedow studied theology under Crusius at Leipsic, and established an early reputation by publishing a treatise on practical philosophy, and afterwards a German grammar. Having perused the works of Wolf, they augmented certain doubts which bold bad men despise, and which had several years before dis

turbed the tranquillity of his mind. It had been the first wish of his life to form a just and consistent opinion of the Christian revelation; to avoid, on one hand, the absurd mockeries and selfish systems of human establishments, and on the other, not to shipwreck his peace and bewilder his mind in the unavailing and unsatisfactory mazes of infidelity. His unaffected modesty, learning, and mild manners, secured him the patronage of the Prince of Dessaw, and he was nominated to a professor's chair at Altona; but his doctrines were so unpopular, or so inveterate the prejudices of the people, that they attacked his house, and it was with great difficulty that he escaped from personal outrage. Basedow took refuge in the dominions of his generous patron, who received him with open arms, and established an academy in his capital, for the avowed purpose of putting in practice the didactic improvements he had suggested, and diffusing his religious principles.

The institution at Dessaw excited considerable attention, and the efficacy of Basedow's methods being denied by his enemies, many learned men of rank and reputation assembled from different parts of Germany, in the year 1776, to examine the progress of his scholars: on this occasion, boys of seven and eight years of age were found to write and converse in French and Latin correctly, and with ease. The examiners opened classic authors wherever they pleased, and the boys directly read their translation out of the Latin books, as if it had been already written for them; they were also examined in Latin on various passages in ancient and modern history, and gave satisfactory answers, as well as to various questions in arithmetic, geometry, and trigonometry. The point aimed at in the seminary at Altona, was to render the acquirement of learning easy, agreeable, and without constraint, and at a period of life much earlier than hath been generally thought practicable by the instructors of the rising generation. Non-compulsion was the prevalent feature and great outline of Basedow's system : he worked as long as there was any probability of success, on the hopes, the fears, the pride, and the passions of his pupils, alternately employing gentleness and sternness, stratagem and surprise, to entice or to terrify them into the paths of knowledge, but he never inflicted corporal punishment.

BAYLE, a French refugee, author of the critical and historical dictionary, a work overflowing with learning and information, but not without a large portion of matter highly exceptionable and repugnant to morality, religion and taste. I address the present article to those private gentleman and public bodies in various parts of Great Britain and Ireland, who possess libraries and large collections of books; I earnestly request of them, if Bayle and other books of a similar description must have a shelf, I request that they would let them be kept under lock and key. I have at different times been permitted, and in various parts of the kingdom, to visit many libraries, and at an early hour of the day, when the greater part of the family had not quitted their beds; but I have repeatedly found children, servants, and young women, perusing with avidity books which no good father or prudent man would put into the hands of his children. The English translation of Bayle was in

general the favourite, and in every library I have yet seen, the leaves of this work, particularly those where the obnoxious and indecorous articles occurred, bore evident marks of having been often turned over by fingers, like the imagination of that singular writer, not very clean. It is by no means my wish to restore that old papistic tyranny in literature, an index expurgatorius but I appeal to parents, guardians, and the many worthy persons engaged in educating the rising generation, whether it is right, safe, or expedient to display to young minds and fervid imaginations, in gaudy colours and seducing language, loose infidelity and lascivious description, which I am convinced (and I speak from experience) have done considerable and irreparable mischief; because paper once blotted, whatever pains we take, never can be restored to its original whiteness, nor will a mind depraved in early life, by bad company and improper books, ever recover its first purity.

The theory of Mr. Bayle, with all his great powers and extensive reading, cannot be defended on any ground of philosophical indifference, toleration, utility, or expedience. His opinion in one point is evident, from a favourite quotation which he makes more than once from Minucius Felix, castitas enim tutitor, sed impudicitia, felicior. He who is persuaded to march in the path of duty from no other motive than its safety, but is at the same time told that an excursion from the right road is pleasanter, will in all human probability soon try the experiment.

In a word, the Dictionary of Bayle is amusing, and, on subjects of general criticism, instructive; but his metaphysic disquisitions are dangerous, and his work communicates none of that true wisdom which makes us better here and happier hereafter.

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, a letter addressed to, copied from a respectable periodic publication.

Dear Madam,-As you occupy a very handsome house, and are able to furnish it in a proper manner, will you excuse a friend who is anxious to give you a little advice on the subject?

Your building being formed of the finest materials, it will show in a moment any flaw or spot that may accidentally tarnish the surface; it is of a proper height, a well-proportioned size, and built on a regular plan. On the top stands a turret of a globular form, with two crystal windows in front; these are so constructed, as to command an extensive prospect, and, if always kept clean and bright, will prove of considerable utility, as well as a great ornament to the house: I advise you not to look through them at every object that passes, and above all things, I would have you shut them early at night, as many disagreeable circumstances happen from a neglect in this particular; you may open them as early as you please in a morning.

On each side, I observe a small portal to receive company; pray take care they do not always stand open; as you will be crowded with visiters, and perhaps with some you may not like; let them never be shut against your worthy parents, a sincere friend, or a fellow-creature in distress.

I took notice of one gate in the front, at which all your company goes

out; in general I recommend it to you to keep it closely barred, lest, should any bad characters be seen forthcoming, you draw a scandal on your residence; if at any time, on necessary occasions, it should be opened, I would lay a strict injunction of watchfulness on the two porters, who stand as sentinels in liveries of scarlet just without the ivory palisade.

Some ill-advised people paint the two pannels just below the windows, an example which I hope you will shun rather than follow.

This part of the edifice is supported by a pillar of Corinthian marble, whose base is ornamented with two semi-globes of alabaster, before which, most prudent people draw a curtain of needle-work; a practice of late years strangely neglected by some, who, by such conduct, prove themselves grossly deficient in policy, propriety, and good taste.

Beneath, is the great hall, in which I understand you have a small closet of exquisite workmanship; this I suppose is the place of your secret retirement, open to none but yourself, or some faithful friend; take care always to keep it clean, and furnished with a small but wellchosen library of the best practical authors; enter it frequently, especially when you return from public worship, or from visiting your friends. Avoid two opposite errors, which the owners of many houses fall into; let not the outside hall appear like the shop of an undertaker, fitting out a funeral, and crowded with gloomy objects, and woeful countenances, nor like a lord mayor's coach, bedaubed with gilding and finery; let it be plain, neat, and always clean, to convince the world that you attend more to utility than ornament. You must not be surprised to find the tenement you inhabit, subject to decay and accident; it is the common effect of time to efface beauty and diminish strength; during the short space you have already lived in it, repairs have been frequently wanted; these, you must consider as plain intimations, that the house itself, in a certain number of years will fall, " and like the baseless fabric of a vision, leave not a wreck behind." If I recollect right, you are only a tenant at will, and may be turned out with or without warning, for that was the condition on which it was let to you: be always ready therefore to go, at a moment's notice, and be particularly careful to keep the furniture in the globular turret, and the contents of the little closet, arranged in good order, that you may be able to lay your hand on them without perplexity or confusion. It will be in vain to attempt to do it, as some have fancied they can, in the bustle and hurry of a sudden removal; a neglect of this important precaution has proved an irreparable injury to thousands. Excuse this hasty epistle, pardon the liberty I have taken, and impute it to the warm zeal and sincere attachment of

Your humble servant.

BEAUZET, a member of the French academy, in the early part of the eighteenth century, at a period when the meetings of that society were crowded with unbelievers; yet Beauzet was firmly convinced of the truth of the Christian religion, and able to defend what he believed.

It occasioned at the time some surprise, that those who influenced that body, did not choose a genius of their own cast.

66

I consider myself as highly honoured," said Beauzet, at his first introduction, 66 by being admitted into this illustrious assembly; but, gentlemen, may I be permitted to ask, how it has happened that your choice fell on me, who on certain subjects, differ so widely in opinion with you? If I mistake not," continued Beauzet, casting his eyes around him," at the moment I speak, I am the only person in company who acknowledges the existence of a God.

"We are not surprised at your question,” replied D'Alembert, "but you possess qualifications of which we stood in need: we wanted a skilful grammarian and etymologist, and knowing you to be a good sort of man, notwithstanding your weakness on certain points, we elected you, because in fact there was no philosopher able to supply your place." Such was the triumph of talent over profane prejudice and fanatic scepticism.

BELKNAP, SIR RICHARD, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, in the reign of King Richard the Second.

This eminent lawyer lived at a period when England was alternately oppressed and distracted by feudal discord, ecclesiastic tyranny, or military despotism; at such an interval of public distress and private calamity, when a man of exalted rank and abilities might have added the irresistible impulse of example to patriotic precept, and perhaps have prevailed on his countrymen to act with prudence and common sense; at such a moment, this supreme dictator of law and justice timidly shrunk from his duty, and although he saw and confessed that he saw the path he ought to tread, was deterred from pursuing it by an unmanly and pusillanimous fear of death. To this judge, and his associates on the bench, the king had sent ten queries for their consideration; the purport of them was to know, if the sovereign, by his own prerogative, could revoke an act of parliament: that the king is above law was the answer given to the royal questions. The venerable and excellent Skipwith, a baron of the exchequer, was the only judge honest and bold enough to avow a different opinion. Yet the chief justice did not give way without considerable and painful struggles; when the Earl of Suffolk, and other messengers from the king, with drawn swords and menacing looks, demanded of him his sentiments on the subject of the ten queries, in writing, he signed and sealed the disgraceful scroll, and delivered it to Suffolk, with the following words: "I now want nothing but a horse, a hurdle, and a halter, to convey me to the punishment I deserve; yet if I had not complied, I should have been slain; and now I have gratified the king's pleasure, I merit worse than death, for thus violating my conscience, and being guilty of the blackest treason to my country. For this dereliction of duty and decorum the guilty lawyers were degraded and banished in the after part of the same reign. Tresilian and Bramber, who had more actively engaged in this unwarrantable business, were both put to death; thus leaving a memorable proof that the lives of those they