Mr. Pinkerton's Explanation. 82 To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, WH WHEN a work is delivered entire to the public, it seldom, or never, is neceffary for the author to appear in its defence, or explanation; as, if good, it will defend itfelf, if bad, it is not worth defending, and no defence can ferve it. But, when a publication proeeeds progreffively, and is attended with confiderable expence, both to the proprietors and the purchafers, by whofe opinion it stands or falls, it is fometimes incumbent on the honefty of the Editor, to account for feeming deficiencies. With this view only, I folicit admiflion for the following brief, but neceflary, explanations, relative to a work conducted by me, "The Portraits of illuftrious Per Jons of Scotland," I remain a well-wisher to your liberal and interesting publication, JOHN PINKERTON, Hampstead, 14th Feb. The work, intitled " Iconographia Scotica, or Portraits of illuftrious Persons of Scotland," is complete in four parts, forming one volume in 4to. or 8vo. Another, ftyled "The Scotijh Gallery, or Portraits of Eminent Perfons of Scotland;" many of them after pictures by the cele brated Jamefon at Taymouth, and elfewhere, will speedily appear in fimilar parts. Some of the plates, in the first publication, fall far short of the editor's expectation, notwithstanding all his exertions, and his infifting on three or four being cut up, and fuperior pieces of art fubfituted. In the fecond work it is hoped there will be no reafon for complaint on this fcore, as Mr. EDWARD HARDING, of Pall Mall, fuperintends all the engravings; many of which are by GARDINER, and other eminent artifts. The portraits themselves rather exceed thofe of the first work, in curiofity and importance: the accounts of remarkable perfons, are, in many inftances, more extentive; and a Differtation will be prefixed to the volume, on the Rife and Progrefs of Painting in Scotland. In the first work, feveral of the plates were inferted by the publisher in oppofition to the editor's advice and reinonfrance; fuch as fome fac-funiles from Jonfon's Infcriptiones, a Mary Magdalen, crying and writing, put for a Mary, Queen of Scots, &c. Yet, amid thefe defects, there is a great number of good plates, from very interefting portraits. The editor, difgufted with those bad plates, and other difagreeable incidents, required that his name fhould not appear in the title, and actually dashed it out in the copy fhewn to him: yet it was inferted. In the fecond work, the fubjects are flect, and fome exquifitely engraven. No bad plates, nor doubtful portraits, will appear. It only remains to apologize for the want of fome portraits, promifed in the Profpectus, and which have not been given. 1. There is no portrait of Robert II. at Taymouth. Erroneous information was the caule of this, and other mistakes. 2. There is no portrait of Elizabeth More. of James IV. is procured. The other is in a 3. One of the portraits of Margaret, queen fince the reign of Charles II. that no picture, royal palace--and it is a fingular institution, in any of the palaces, can be copied without a perquifite of four guineas to the Chamberlain's clerks. As it is a perquifite, it is indifpenfible---but certainly nothing can be more difgraceful to the pretent flourishing state of will not prevent the appearance of this por the arts in this country.---This, however, trait in due time: the distance from town, and its being the only one in that palace, are the real caufes of the delay. 4. Cardinal Innes, A. D. 1412, is procured, as are all the others mentioned in the Profpectus, except the following: 5. Regent Murray, at Fonthill. A drawing was taken. It is fome Scotifh gentleman, of the end of last century, in a High land drefs. 6. Bishop Dunbar, at Aberdeen, is a re cent and imaginary picture. 7. There is no portrait of Robert II. at Strawberry Hill. 8. There is no portrait of Sir Robert Murray in the apartments of the Royal Society. 9. The Cardinal Beton, at Holy-roodhoufe is imaginary. Mr. Pennant informs me, it is a foreign Cardinal of last century--and the portrait in an oval, is quite unlike the manner of Beton's time. 10. The Earl Douglas, át Cavers, is of dubious existence. is already engraved for the Memoirs of Gram 11. Lord Westcote's duchefs of Richmond mont. 12. Dr. Burnet, of the Charter-house, has been often engraved, and was, it is believed, an Englishman. He is an honour to his country; but this work is confined to the neglected province of Scotifh iconography. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, To the books, which C. D. recom mends to your correfpondent L, I beg Lave to add the following, which it may 2 tion." Books on English Verse....Wisbech Female Society. may be prefumed, had not fallen in the 2. An Effay on the Harmony, Variety 3. Obfervations on Poetry, especially the Epic: occafioned by the late Poem upon Leonidas." The name at the end of the preface, authorises us to afcribe this piece to Dr. Pemberton, one of the Profeffors at Gresham College, from whence it is dated, 9th May, 1738: author of a "View of Sir Ifaac Newton's Philofophy," and, if my memory be correct, the laft furviving friend of that great man. This communication, it is hoped, may be agreeable to both your correfpondents, and ferve to complete lifts of publications on English verfification and profaic har To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, S female Friendly Societies (through A the philanthropy of the British la dies) may probably become more general, I venture to fend you the outlines of a plan of one instituted at Wisbech in the year 1796; how far it may reach the benefit intended by fuch inftitutions, and how long the fund may be adequate to its needful outgoings, I leave to better calculators to enquire; but the liberal relief it affords in cafes of child-bed; cafes, which, amongst the lower orders of fo ciety, call aloud for fympathy, will, I doubt not, incline the humane promoters of fimilar affociations, to give it a serious attention. Honorary members at its inftitution 78 Total amount of cash, by donations Balance remaining 2 £214 14 34 9 -1805 The honorary members appoint annu. ally three or more stewards, who are to vifit the fick, and carry their weekly allowance, thefe, with the secretary and ftewards (for the time being) form a com mittee, deemed competent to transacting the business of the fociety. Each honorary member pays on admiffion 5s. for a printed copy of the rules 6d. and 6s. 6d. for a year's fubfcription in advance; thofe benefited pay 2s. 6d. entrance, 3d. for a copy of the rules, and 6d. the first Monday in every month, at any hour or place appointed by the stewards. There is a finall fine for non-payment, which is ap plied to encreafing the fund. Annual and quarterly meetings are held, but the expence of a dinner was thought unneceffary. Any benefited member, when taken ill or lame, and unable to pursue her ufual employment, (provided her illness is not occafioned by mifconduct) is allowed 3s. 6d. a week for the first month of her confinement, and 2s. 6d. a week if her illness continues for a longer time. Married members, in cafes of child-bed, re ceive regularly ss. a week for one month, and 2s. 6d. a week fo much longer as the ftewards judge neceffary. Thofe who remove from Wifbech, are not entitled to any weekly allowance. The fum of zos. is paid to any married member on the death of her husband, and 5s. for each of her children then living, under 14 years, upon fuch death being duly certified to the Rewards. . 84 Milton's Imitations of the Ancients, by Mr. Wakefield. The monthly fubfcriptions of each fingle benefited member, or widow, who has not received any relief from the fund upon her lying-in, or the death of her husband, ceafe at the attainment of her 58th year; and if, having received benefit, the continues her fubfcription two years longer, in either of these cafes, the is entitled to receive annually (for life) the fum of 41. by four equal quarterly payments; but fuch member has no further claim upon the fociety. Every member muft fubfcribe to the fund one year before she can receive any relief from the inftitution; nor are any admitted above the age of 45, or who do hot at the time enjoy good health. Befides this inftitution (which bids fair to meliorate the afflictions attendant on poverty, without debafing the mind) at Wisbech, fome ladies have formed a fociety for lending the neceffitous, in cafes of child-birth, fuitable linen during their confinement, which, after a stated time, is returned to the perfon under whofe care it is placed. From this, much benefit has arifen, many being totally unable to procure what was abfolutely requifite in fuch fituations. Wisbech, Feb. 17. A. lution of a well known distich in Tibul Illam, quicquid agit, quoquo veftigia vertit, ver: 316. Whom they fought, I am: Coram, quem quæritis, adfum, Troïus Æneas: Virgil, Æn. i. 595Canft raife thy creature to what heighth thou of union or communion: ver. 430. wilt Præfens vel imo tollere de gradu Mortale corpus: Hor. od. i. 35. 2 And happy conftellations on that hour ver. 511. prima et Tellus et pronuba Juno Dant fignum: fuliere ignes et confcius Æther Connubiis, fummoque ulularunt vertice Nym pha. Virgo n. iv. 166. in all enjoyments elfe Superior and unmov'd; here only, weak Against the charm of beauty's pow'rful giance: ver. 531. This exquifite ftroke of ingenuous nature feems dilated from Sophocles, Trachin. 488. Ως ταλλ' εκεινο παντ' αριστευων χεροιν Milton's Imitations of the Ancients. By Τα τηςδ' ερωτων εις απανθ' ήσσων εφυ. MR. WAKEFIELD. (CONCLUDED). The Angel ended, and in Adam's ear to hear. Par. Loft, b. viii. ver. 1. Ως εφαθ'· οἱ δ' άρα πάντες ακήν εγενοντο σιωπη. σκιόεντα. Κηληθμῷ δ' έσχοντο κατά μέγαρα "He ceas'd; but left fo pleafing on their ear Speaking, or nure, all comeliners and grace An elegant, but, I think, unequal imi And exactly in the fame fentiment Phi ὁ νεανιας την μεν αλλην φιλοσοφιαν εξ ρωτο των What the wills to do, or fay, Seems wifeft, virtuoufeft, difcreeteft, beft; So Polybius, Hift. i. 14. Aoxur de μοι πεπονθέναι τι παραπλήσιον τοις ερωσι δια γαρ την αίρεσιν και την όλην εύνοιαν, φιλιῳ δοκυσιν οἱ καρχηδόνιοι πεπραχ θαι φρονιμως, καλως, ανδρώδως, οἱ δὲ Ῥωμαίοι τἀναντια· Φαβίῳ δὲ, τἔμπαλιν τέτων. More grateful than harmonious found to tho μεν παντά ear: ver. 660. -quæ carmine gratior aurem Virg. Æn. ix 14. So parted they, the Angel up to heaven Των ὡς βελευσανε διετμαγεν ή μεν έπειτα " Wit Compare Milton's Imitations of the Ancients, by Mr. Wakefield." 85 To deathless pain? How gladly would I meet Mortality my fentence? ver. 773... ta eft umbras. immortalis ego? Virg. Æn. xii. 879.. Shattering the graceful locks Of thefe fair fpreading trees: which bids us feek Some better fhroud: ver. 1066. Chaucer's Blacke Knight, ftanza 21. This alludes to Pfalm xcvii. 2. "Clouds and darkness are round about him." HE laft number of your Magazine announces that Dr. BEDDOES will foon favour the public with one or two more centuries of obfervations, on the anti-venereal effects of nitrous acid; and that he thinks he thall be able to bring forward fuch facts as fhall, in fome meafure, account for the general failures that have 86 Mr. Blair on Nitrous Acid.... Inutility of Tontines have happened. From an hint which this refpectable phyfician has dropped, it ap To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, BOUT feven years ago, a variety of pears, that "only a second letter from Afchemes were formed, under the name Mr. SCOTT, of Bombay," has yet fallen into his hands: I therefore conceive, that it may be a piece of agreeable intelligence to him, as well as to the other advocates for "the new fpecific," to be informed, that feveral letters have been lately received from Bombay, in which Mr. SCOTT endeavours to corroborate his former remarks, and propofes another mode of adminiftering this remedy. In the fourth letter, dated Auguft the 5th, 1797, he relates, "A cafe of lues venerea cured by bathing in the diluted nitric acid, that affords (he fays) the moft fatisfactory evidence of its great and truly furprifing efficacy:" and he even fuppofes that this method" is ftill more effectual than its external ufe." The ingenious author concludes with these remarkable words: "In a few years, I think, that mercury, as a remedy for the lues venerea, will be banished by this acid; and, in fome of my dreams for the improvement of the condition of man, I even imagine, that the poifon of Syphilis may, in a great measure, be extinguished over the face of the earth, not by the efforts of the magiftrate, but by an agent like this, fafe, fimple, and efficacious.” As the refult of my own trials, in nearly fixty cafes of lues venerea, differs, in toto, from the experience of Mr. SCOTT, and of many other gentlemen, I cannot but feel anxious to fee a detail of "the facts" which Dr. BEDDOES has promifed; and as the truth, wherever it may lie, can only arife from the general mafs of evidence, I shall deem it incumbent upon me, to publish all my cafes, as foon as the other duties of my profession afford me leifure. In the interim, I fhall be happy to receive fuch additional communications as practitioners may pleafe to honour me with. Every cafe, faithfully drawn up, will ferve to throw light on this interefting fubject; and therefore ought not to be loft to the public. of Tontines, which promifed great advantages to fubfcribers, from the improve. ment of money at compound intereft, increafed by the benefits arifing from fur vivorship; and as many of these schemes are now about expiring, it is very probable that the managers and fecretaries (who appear to be the perfons moft benefited by them) will offer to the public new propofals, holding out a ftill more alluring profpect of accumulating wealth, from the prefent high intereft of money. Schemes of this kind are principally adapted to a clafs of perfons who are leaft qualified for examining into the principles upon which they are founded; and fuch perfons, not finding the unwarranted hopes they had been led to entertain realifed, may, in their difappointment, reject every mode of making provifion for a future period, and, confequently, a dif pofition highly laudable in the individual, and beneficial to the community, be much difcouraged. This confideration, I hope, will be a fufficient apology for fubmitting to the public, through the medium of your Magazine, a few remarks on the ftatement lately published, for the information of the members of one of these focieties; the term of which being expired, the members are about to receive their expected profits in the divifion of the stock, The plan was formed for seven years; the contribution being thirteen fhillings per quarter: the total fum appears by the account as follows: Thefe fums appear as the total receipt; but, it must be obferved, they are exclufive of fixpence per quarter, paid on each fhare for management, which amounts on fhares that have been compleated to 24851. befides what has been paid on the fhares forfeited; which, if they are fuppofed to have been continued on an average three years each, makes 2951. to which mult be added, a demand of two fhillings per share, made on the payment of the last fubfcrip tion. What this additional payment of 3551. was for, unless as a year's finecure falary to the projector, till he fhall have found out a new fet of fubfcribers, is diffi cult to conceive; but, with the two former, it makes the expence of management W. BLAIR. amount to three thousand, one hundred, and thirty-five pounds. I cannot forbear fuggefting a hint, which, I fear, fome of our zealous experimenters ftand in need of; that an hafty opinion may be the occafion of accumuJated fufferings to our patients; and that a wife man will fufpend his judgement until the matter of enquiry fall have been fully investigated: the introduction of a doubtful remedy, and the rejection of an almost infallible one, in the treatment of Syphilis, is too ferious an affair to be trifled with. I remain, &c. |