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lic library of the university. With complexion was fair; his aspect mild, an exception in favour of a layman, sweet, and unavoidably interesting; which was without example, he was there was peculiar power of ingenuous chosen to succeed Dr. Jolin Drysdale expression in the modest, almost in the highly respectable appointment timid serenity of his blue eye; his of principal clerk to the general as- features were plump and full, but sembly of the church of Scotland. He without heaviness or grossnes; his addischarged the functions of all these dress, in accosting a stranger, or in offices with a zeal, a fidelity, and a the general course of conversation, masterly ability, which gave universal was singularly graceful, captivating, satisfaction, and have never been ex- and yet unpresuming. He took little ceeded in any one of them. He was, exercise, but in occasional walks in as may well be imagined, the pride the King's park, which was the rural and delight of the private society in scene the most easily accessible from which he chiefly lived. his residence in the College. An atAmong his particular friends, were tic propriety, a golden moderation, the late Dr. Gilbert Stuart; Dr. Rus- seemed to pervade all his habits in sel, known as the judicious compiler common life. He was eminently temof the History of Modern Europe; perate, vet hospitable and convivial. Mr. Liston, who has so long and with In the tenderest connexion of dosuch distinction served his country in mestic life, he was truly fortunate, a diplomatic capacity; Mr. Porter, having married the eldest daughter of an eminent Russia merchant; the late the Rev. Dr. John Drysdale, a lady, Dr. William Robertson, the historian; whose temper, taste, good sense, acthe late venerable Lord Monboddo, complishments, and turn of manners, well known as an amiable enthusiast in were entirely in unison with his own. Grecian literature; Mr. Dugald Stuart, She survives with the children of that most learned, ingenious, and mo- their marriage, to mourn his premature dest of the members of the Scottish loss. His death took place at EdinUniversities; Mr. Professor Chris- burgh, on the 8th of December, 1800. tian, and many others, the most emi- Ergo Quintilium perpetuus sopor nent for virtue, rank, and talents. Unget! cui pudor, et justitiæ soror Incorrupta fides, nudaque veritas, Quando ullum invenient parem. Multus ille quidem flebilis occidit Nulh flebilior quam mihi

Amidst so many public duties, Mr. Dalzeli's application to private study was indefatigable. The compositions and continual improvement of his Lectures, with the compilation of his Collectanea, or AvaλexTa cost him prodigious pains and labour. His correspondence with Heyne and other men

Mrs. KNOWLES, whose Death was announced p. 276.

M Staffordshire, and the widow

RS. KNOWLES was a native of

of learning abroad, encroached a good deal upon his hours of leisure. of Dr. Knowles, a much esteemed He has enriched the volumes of the physician in London. Her parents Transactions of the Royal Society of being of the society of Friends, she Edinburgh with a variety of interest- was carefully brought up in substaning communications in Biography, or tial and useful knowledge; but this on subjects of erudition. He was the alone could not satisfy her active editor of the posthumous sermons of mind; for she was long distinguished his father-in-law, the learned and ju- by various works in the polite arts of dicious Dr. John Drysdale. He gave poetry, painting, and more especially a value to Chevalier's description of the imitation of nature in needlethe plain of Troy, by translating and work. Some specimens of this last illustrating it. His application was, having been accidentally seen by their indeed, far too intense; but so very Majesties, they expressed a wish to mnch was his heart in his studies and see her; and she was accordingly his official duties, that no tender suggestions of his friends, no counsels of his physicians, could divert him from them. He was in stature among the tallest of the middle size; his

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presented in the simplicity of her quaker dress, and graciously received. This and subsequent interviews led to her grand undertaking, a representation of the king in needlework,

We

which she completed to their entire and let his wife and children starve, satisfaction, though she had never the parish will oblige him to find se seen any thing of the kind. curity for their maintenance. We next find her accompanying have different modes of restraining her husband on a scientific tour evil. If we require more perfection through Holland, Germany, and from women than from ourselves, it France, where they obtained intro- is doing them honour. And women. duction to the most distinguished have not the same temptations that. personages, such as the Prince and we have; they may always live in vir Princess of Orange; at Versailles, tucus company; men must mix in to the Messieurs and Mesdames of the world indiscriminately. If a wo the royal family; and at last she was man has no inclination to do what is admitted to the toilette of the late un- wrong, being secured from it is no fortunate Queen, by her own desire. restraint to her. I am at liberty to The appearance of Quakers was to that walk into the Thames; but if I were. Princess quite a phenomenon, con- to try it my friends would restrain me cerning whose tenets she was politely in Bedlam, and I should be obliged to earnest for information, and acknow- them. ledged these heretics to be philosophers at least.

Mrs. K. Still Doctor, I cannot help thinking it a hardship that more inShe wrote on various subjects, phi dulgence is allowed to men than wo losophical, theological, and poetical, men. It gives a superiority to men, some of which have been published to which I do not see how they are enwith her name, but more anonymous- titled. ly; and it has been said, modestly retained in manuscript far more than has appeared before the public. When urged on this subject she would say, "Even arts and sciences are but evanescent splendid vanities, if unaccompanied by the Christian virtues!"

Dr. J. It is plain, madam, one or other must have the superiority. Mrs. K. Well, I hope in another world the sexes will be equal.

In speaking of Soaine Jenyns's "View of the Internal Evidences of the Christian Religion," Boswell said Mr. Boswell, in his life of Dr. John- to Mrs. Knowles, You should like son, relates a long conversation which his book, Mrs. K., as it maintains, as took place at Mr. Dilly's, in April you friends do, that courage is not a 1778, between the Doctor and Mrs. christian virtue.

Knowles. The company consisted of Mrs. K. Yes, indeed, I like him Mr. Dilly, Dr. Johnson, the Rev. Dr. there; but I cannot agree with him, Mayo, the Rev. Mr. Beresford, tutor that friendship is not a christian to the late Duke of Bedford, Mr. virtue.

Boswell, Mrs. Knowles, and Miss Dr. J. Why madam, strictly speakSeward. "Mrs. Knowles," says Bos- ing he is right. All friendship is prewell, "affected to complain that men ferring the interest of a friend to the had much more liberty than women." neglect, or perhaps against the inDr. J. Why, madam, women have terest of others; so that an old Greek all the liberty they should wish to said, He that has friends has no have. We have all the labour and friend!' Now Christianity recomthe danger, and the women all the mends universal benevolence, to conadvantage. We go to sea, we build houses, we do every thing in short, to pay our court to the women.

Mrs. K. The Doctor reasons wittily, but not convincingly. Now, take the instance of building; the mason's wife if she is ever seen in liquor is ruined. The mason may get himself drunk as often as he pleases, with little loss of character; nay, may let his wife and children starve. Dr. J. Madam, you must consider if the mason does get drunk himself, UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VIK

sider all .en as our brethren, which is contrary to the virtue of friendships as described by the ancient philosophers. Surely, madam, your sect must approve of this, for you call all men friends.

Mrs. K. We are commanded to do good to all men, 'but especially to them who are of the household of faith."

Dr. J. Well, madam, the household of faith is wide enough.

Mrs. K. But, Doctor, our Saviour had twelve apostles, yet there was one 2 Y

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whom he loved. John was the ple whom Jesus loved.'

disci- and it is you, Madam, who have seduced her from the christian religion. Dr. J. (His eyes sparkling benignantly) Very well, indeed Madain. You have said very well.

The subject of death being mentioned, Boswell expressed a horror at the thought of it.

Mrs. K. Nay, thou shouldst not have a horror for what is the gate of life.

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- Dr. J. No rational man can die without uneasy apprehension.

Mrs. K. This is a heavy charge, indeed, I must beg leave to be heard in my own defence: and I entreat the attention of the present learned and candid company, desiring they will judge how far I am able to clear my self of so cruel an accusation.

Dr. J. You are a woman, and I give you quarter.

Mrs. K. I will not take quarter. There is no sex in souls; and in the present cause I fear not even Dr. Johnson himself.

Dr. J. Well then, Madam, I persist in my charge, that you have seduced Miss H. from the Christian religion.

Mrs. K. The scriptures tell us the righteous shall have hope in his death.' Dr. J. Yes madam, that is, he shall not have despair. But consider, his hope of salvation must be founded on the terms on which it is promised, Mrs. K. If thou really knewest what that the mediation of our saviour shall were the principles of the Friends, be applied to us, namely, obedience; thou wouldst not say she had departed and where obedience has failed, then from Christianity. But, waving that as suppletory to it, repentance. But discussion for the present, I will take what man can say that his obedience the liberty to observe, that she had has been such as he would approve of undoubted right to examine and to in another, or even in himself upou change her educational tenets, whenclose examination, or that his repent- ever she supposed she had found ance has been such as to require being them erroneous: as an accountable repented of! No man can be sure creature, it was, her duty so to do. that his obedience and repentance will Dr. J. Phsaw! Phsaw-an accountobtain salvation.

Mrs. K. But divine intimation of acceptance may be made to the soul. Dr. J. Madam, it may; but I should not think the better of a man, who should tell me on his death-bed he was sure of salvation. A man cannot be sure himself that he has divine intimation of acceptance; much less can he make others sure that he has it. Mrs. K. (Seeming to enjoy a pleasing serenity in the persuasion of a benignant divine light.) Does not St. Paul say, I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished my course; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of life.'

Dr. J. Yes madam, but here was a man inspired, a man who had been converted by supernatural interposition.

Mrs. Knowles mentioned as a proselvte to quakerism, Miss, a young lady well known to Dr. Johnson, for whom he had shewn much affection; while she ever had, and still retained, a great respect for him.

Mrs. K. Thy friend, Jenny H, desires her kind respects to thee, Doctor.

Dr. J. Tell me not of her! I hate the odious wench for her apostacy:

able creature!-Girls accountable creatures!-It was her duty to remain with the church wherein she was educated; she had no business to leave it.

Mrs. K. What, not for that she ap prehended to be better? according to this rule, Doctor, hadst thou been born in Turkey, it had been thy duty to have remained a Mahometan, notwithstanding Christian evidence might have wrought in thy mind the clearest conviction! and, if so, then let me ask, how would thy conscience have answered for such obstinacy at the great and last tribunal?

Dr. J. My conscience would not have been answerable.

Mrs. K. Whose then would? Dr. J. Why the state to be sure. In adhering to the religion of the state as by law established, our implicit obedience therein becomes our duty.

Mrs. K. A nation, or a state, having a conscience, is a doctrine entirely new to me, and indeed, a very eurious piece of intelligence; for I have always understood that a government, or state, is a creature of time only; beyond which it dissolves, and becomes a non-entity. Now, gentlemen, can your imagination body forth

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this monstrous individual, or being, philosopher of the first rank: a teacher called a state, composed of millions from whom they think they have a of people! Can you behold it stalk- right to expect much information. ing forth into the next world, loaded To this expecting, enquiring world, with its mighty conscience, there to how can Dr. Johnson acquit himself, be rewarded or punished, for the faith, for remaining unacquainted with a opinions, and conduct, of its consti- book translated into five or six diffetuent machines called men? Surely rent languages, and which has been the teeming brain of poetry never admitted into the libraries of almest held up to the fancy so wondrous a every court and university in Chrispersonage! tendom!

Dr. J. I regard not what you say as to that matter. I hate the arrogance of the wench, in supposing herself a more competent judge of religion than those who educated her. She imitated you, no doubt; but she ought not to have presumed to determine for herself in so important an affair.

Mrs. K. True, Doctor, I grant it, if as thou seemest to imply, a wench of twenty years be not a moral agent. Dr. J. I doubt it would be difficult to prove those deserve that character who turn quakers.

Mrs. K. This severe retort, Doctor, induces me charitably to hope thou must be totally unacquainted with the principles of the people against whom thou art so exceedingly prejudiced, and that thou supposest us a set of infidels or deists.

Dr. J. Certainly, I do think you little better than deists.

Mrs. K. This is indeed strange; 'tis passing strange, that a man of such universal reading and research, has not thought it at least expedient to look into the cause of dissent of a society so long established, and so conspicuously singular!

Dr. J. Not I, indeed! I have not read your Barclay's Apology; and for this plain reason-never thought it worth my while. You are upstart sectaries, perhaps the best subdued by a silent contempt.

The Doctor again repeated, that he did not think the quakers deserved the name of Christians.

Mrs. K. Give me leave then to endeavour to convince thee of thy error, which I will do by making before thee and this respectable company, a confession of our faith. Creeds, or confessions of faith, are admitted, by all to be the standard whereby we judge of every denomination of professors. Well then, I take upon me to declare, that the people called quakers do verily believe in the Holy Scriptures, and rejcice with the most full and reverential acceptance of the divine history of facts as recorded in the New Testament. That we, consequently, fully believe those historical articles summed up in what is called the Apostles' Creed, with these two exceptions only, to wit, our Saviour's descent into Hell, and the Resurrection of the Body. These mysteries we humbly leave just as they stand in the Holy Text; there being, from that ground, no authority for such assertion as is drawn up in the creed. And now, Doctor, cans't thou still deny to us the honourable title of Christians?

Dr. J. Well!-I must own I did not at all suppose you had so much to say for yourselves. However, I cannot forgive that little slut, for presuming to take upon herself as she

has done.

Mrs. K. I hope, Doctor, thou wilt not remain unforgiving; and that you will renew your friendship, and joyfully meet at last in those bright regions where pride and prejudice can never enter!

Mrs K. This reminds me of the language of the Rabbies of old, when their hierarchy was alarmed by the increasing influence, force, and simplicity of dawning truth, in their high day of worldly dominion. We meekly trust, our principles stand on the same solid foundation of simple truth; and we invite the acutest investigation. The reason thou givest for not Mrs. Knowles died at her house in having read Barclay's Apology, is Ely Place, Holborn, on the 3d of surely a very improper one for a man February, 1807, aged upwards of 80 whom the world looks up to as a moral years!

Dr J. Meet her! I never desire to meet fools any where.

MODERN DISCOVERIES,

AND

IMPROVEMENTS IN ARTS, SCIENCES, AND LITERATURE; With Notices respecting Men of Letters, Artists, and Works in Hand, &c. &c.

TH

Thornton. Two editions will appear in royal and demy octavo, corresponding with the Quadrupeds, Birds, and Fishes of the same engraver.

Mr. Burnett has nearly completed a series of Specimens of English Prose Writers, from the earliest times to the close of the seventeenth century, interspersed with sketches, biographical, literary, and critical.

Mr. Custance, of Kidderminster, is preparing for the press, a Concise View of the Constitution and Laws of England.

A work will speedily appear, in three volumes, under the title of Oxoniana, consisting of anecdotes and facts relating to the colleges, halls, libraries, and establishments of Oxford; with extracts from, and accounts of, the curious unpublished manuscripts with which that University abounds; accounts of celebrated members, professors, &c, so as to comprise a history of the rise and progress of that ancient seat of learning.

HE Rev.Thomas Kidd, of Trinity College, Cambridge, proposes to publish a new edition of the Iliad and Odyssey; of which, in the Iliad, the Townleian Codex, aided by the Marcian Manuscripts, and a faithful collation of the Harleian Copies, will form the ground-work. It is intended, at present, to insert the digamma in the text, on the authority of the great Bentley, whose unpublished papers on the Hiad and Odyssey will, through the kind permission of Trinity College, Cambridge, contribute to enhance the value of this edition. The body of variations from the Vienna, Breslaw, and 'Moscow, MSS. as published by Professors Alter and Heyne, as well as those gleaned by a re-examination of the MSS. consulted by Barnes, will be classed according to their respective merits under the text, and incorporated with an accurate collation of the first, second Aldine, first Strasburgh and Roman editions; the peculiarities also of the venerable document dispersed through H. Steph. Dr. Charles Fothergill is preparing Thesaurus Ling. Gr. will be specified a work for the press, with a view of in their proper places. The text of clearing up some doubtful points in the Iliad, with the variations, will be the Zoology of Great Britain, for given in 2 vols. octavo, A supplement which he, in the last spring, made a to the Villoisonian scholia from the voyage to all the Northern Isles, the Townleian and Harleian transcripts, Orcades, Shetland, Fair Isle, and with short notes, will form the third Fulda, and remained among them volume; and a fourth volume will during the greater part of the year, contain the text of the Odyssey, with employed in the investigation of their various readings, to be introduced by natural history, antiquities, state of fac-similes of the characters and de- agriculture and fisheries, political im scriptions of the respective MSS, en- portance, manners, customs, conditior, gaged in the service of the text; to past and present state, &c. This work which will succeed a small volume of will be accompanied by maps and nuscholia, chiefly from MSS. with short merous engravings, containing the notes; a dissertation on the genuine- most full and complete description -ness of Od. n. a collation of the pp. of that has yet been published of those Ed. Rom. and Bas. of Eustathius, remote and neglected regions. with the omissions of the latter; and application of the digamma to the remains of Hesiod.

The Poems of Richard Corbet, late Bishop of Oxford and of Norwich, to which are now added, Oratio in Obitu Mr. Bewick, of Newcastle, is en- Henrici Principis, from Ashmole's gaged on a series of Engravings of Museum, with biographical notes, British Vegetables, useful in Diet, and a life of the author, by Mr. OcMedicine, and the Arts. The letter- tavius Gilchrist, will shortly make press of the work to be written by Dr. their appearance.

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