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Mr. Pinkerton's Explanation.

82 To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

W

in

THEN a work is delivered entire to the public, it feldom, or never, is neceffary for the author to appear 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 proceeds progreffively, and is attended with confiderable expence, both to the proprietors and the purchafers, by whofe opinion it ftands or falls, it is fometimes incumbent on the honefty of the Editor, to account for feeming deficiencies. With this view only, I folicit admiffion for the following brief, but neceffary, explanations, relative to a work conducted by me, "The Portraits of illuftrious Perfons 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 Perfons of Scotland," is complete in four parts, forming one volume in 4to. or 8vo. Another, ftyled "The Scotish Gallery, or Portraits of Eminent Perfons of Scotland;" many of them after pictures by the celebrated Jamefon at Taymouth, and elfewhere, will fpeedily appear in similar parts.

Some of the plates, in the first publication, fall far fhort of the editor's expectation, notwithstanding all his exertions, and his infifting on three or four being cut up, and fuperior pieces of art fubftituted. 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 firft work, in curiofity and importance: the accounts of remarkable perfons, are, in many inftances, more extenfive; and a Differtation will be prefixed to the volume, on the Rife and Progress 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 remonftrance; fuch as fome fac-fimiles from Jonfon's Infcriptiones, a Mary Magdalen, crying and writing, put for a Mary, Queen of Scots, &c. Yet, amid these 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 felect, 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 caufe 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 indispenfible---but certainly nothing can be more

difgraceful to the prefent flourishing state of will not prevent the appearance of this porthe 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 Scotish gentleman, of the end of last century, in a High

land drefs.

6. Bishop Dunbar, at Aberdeen, is a recent 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 laft century-and the portrait in an oval, is quite unlike the manner of Beton's time.

10. The Earl Douglas, at Cavers, is of dubious exiftence.

11. Lord Weftcote's duchefs of Richmond is already engraved for the Memoirs of Gram

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· Books on English Verfe....Wisbech Female Society.

may be prefumed, had not fallen in the way of that ingenious writer; but which are much to the point, and are confidered, I apprehend, as poffeffing much merit.

1. Two Tracts entitled, one, " An Efay on the Power of Numbers, and the Principles of Harmony in Poetical Compoftion. The other," An Efay on the Power and Harmony of Profaic Numbers: being a Sequel to one on the Power of Numbers and the Principles of harmony in Poetic Compofitions." 1749. Thefe pieces are anonymous; but it is well known that they were written by the Rev. John Mason, M. A. author of a Treatife on Self-knowledge, and feven volumes of Sermons, which met with good accept ance; and many years the refpectable minifter of a congregation of Proteftant Diffenters at Chefhunt, in Hertfordshire.

2.

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"An Effay on the Harmony, Variety and Power of Numbers in general:" and another on thofe of "Paradife Loft," in particular printed in a pofthumous voJume of the Poems of the Rev. Samuel Say" for nine years minifter of the dif fenting congregation in Prince's-street, Westminster. Thefe effays have been much admired by perfons of taste and judgment. The fecond was written at the defire of Mr. Richardfon, the Painter. The editor of both, and of the poems, was William Duncombe, Efq. youngest fon of John Duncombe, Efq. of Stocks, in Hertfordfhire, the friend of Archbishop Herring.*

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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.

8'5

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

S female Friendly Societies (through

A the philanthropy of the British las

This communication, it is hoped, may be agreeable to both your correfpondents, and ferve to complete lifts of publications on English verfification and profaic harmony.

I am, Sir,

Your conftant reader,
Taunton, 16th Jan. 1798.
J. T.

I

dies) may probably become more general, venture to fend you the outlines of a plan of one inftituted 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 fociety, call aloud for fympathy, will, I doubt not, incline the humane promoters of fimilar affociations, to give it a ferious attention.

* See Archbishop Herring's Letters to W. Duncombe, Efq. p. 71, 72, &c. and the correfpondence of John Hughes, Efq. in 3 vols. by John Duncombe, M. A. v. 1. p. 19. 2nd edition. For fome Memoirs of Mr. Say, the reader is referred to the "Proteftant Diffenter's Magazine for Auguft and September 1794.

Honorary members at its inftitution 78
Benefited do.

Total amount of cafh, by donations
and fubfcriptions
Difburfed to fick members

Balance remaining

100

£214 14

34 9,

180 5

The honorary members appoint annually three or more ftewards, who are to vifit the fick, and carry their weekly allowance, thefe, with the fecretary and ftewards (for the time being) form a committee, deemed competent to tranfacting the bufinefs 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 64d. the first Monday in every month, at any hour or place appointe.! by the ftewards. There is a fmall fine for non-payment, which is applied 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 purfue 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, receive regularly 5s. a week for one month, and 2s. 6d. week fo much longer as the ftewards judge neceffary. Those who remove from Wisbech, are not entitled to any weekly allowance.

The fun 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 stewards.

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 hufband, ceafe at the attainment of her $8th year; and if, having received benefit, fhe continues her subscription 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 the can receive any' relief from the inftitution; nor are any admitted above the age of 45, or who do not at the time enjoy good health.

Befides this inftitution (which bids fair to meliorate the afflictions attendant on

poverty, without debating the mind) at Wifbech, fome ladies have formed a fociety for lending the neceffitous, in cafes of child-birth, fuitable linen during their confinement, which, after a ftated 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
lus, iv. 2. 7,

Illam, quicquid agit, quoquo vestigia vertit,
Componit furtim fubfequiturque decor.

ver. 316.

Whom they fought, I am:

Coram, quem quæritis, adfum,
Troïus Æneas: Virgil, Æn. i. 595-
Canft raife thy creature to what heighth thou

wilt

Of union or communion: ver. 430.
Præfens vel imo tollere de gradu
Mortale corpus: Hor, od. i. 35.2

--all heaven
And happy conftellations on that hour
Shed their felecteft influence; the earth
Gave fign of gratulation, and each hill:

ver. 511.

Dant fignum: fulfere ignes et confcius Æther
prima et Tellus et pronuba Juno
Connubiis, fummoque ulularunt vertice Nym-
pha. Virg. Æn. iv. 166.

Superior and unmov'd; here only, weak
in all enjoyments elfe
Against the charm of beauty's pow'rful
glance: ver. 531.

This exquifite ftroke of ingenuous nature
feems dilated from Sophocles, Trachin.
488.

Ως τάλλ' εκείνω παντ' αριστευων χέρουν

Milton's Imitations of the Ancients. Br Τα τηςδ' ερωτα εις απανθ' ήσσων εφυ.

MR. WAKEFIELD.

(CONCLUDED).

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And exactly in the fame fentiment Phi-
loftratus, vit. Apoll Ty. iv. 25.

ὁ νεάνιας την μεν αλλην φιλοσοφιαν ες ρωτο,
των δε ερωτικών ηττητο.

What the wills to do, or fay,
Seems wifeft, virtuoufeft, difcreeteft, beft:
So Polybius, Hift. i. 14. Aoxuri de
μοι πεπονθέναι τι παραπλησιον τοις ερωσι
δια γαρ την αίρεσιν και την όλην ευνοιαν, φιλινη
μεν παντα δοκεσιν οἱ καρχηδόνιοι πεπραχ
θαι φρονίμως, καλώς, ανδρώδως, οἱ δε Ρωμαίοι
τἀναντια· Φαβιῳ δε, τέμπαλιν τέτων.
More grateful than harmonious found to th

ear: ver. 660.

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Milton's Imitations of the Ancients, by Mr. Wakefield.

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85

To deathless pain? How gladly would I

meet

Mortality my fentence? ver. 773.

ta eft

Quo vitam dedit eternam? cur mortis ademp-
Conditio ? Poffem tantos finire dolores
Nunc certe, et mifero fratri comes ire fub

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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 fhall be able to bring forward fuch facts as fhall, in fome meafure, account for the general failures that

:86

Mr. Blair on Nitrous Acid.... Inutility of Tontines

have happened. From an hint which this refpectable phyfician has dropped, it appears, that only a fecond letter from Mr. SCOTT, of Bombay," has yet falien 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 most 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 thefe 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 extinguifhed 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 fhall deem it incumbent upon me, to publish all my cafes, as foon as the other duties of my profeffion 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 interesting fubject; and therefore ought not to be loft to the public.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

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SIR,

ABOUT feven years ago, a variety of fchemes were formed, under the name of Tontines, which promised great advantages to fubfcribers, from the improvement of money at compound interest, increafed by the benefits arifing from furvivorship; 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 still more alluring profpect of accumulating wealth, from the prefent high intereft of money. Schemes of this kind are principaily 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 feven years; the contribution being thirteen fhillings per quarter: the total fum appears by the account as follows;

986 Deaths and Defaulters, £.3,872 3.9 3550 Subfcriptions compleated 64,610 0 0 Fines 928 15 11,679 7

Dividends on Stock

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Total 81,090 5

These fums appear as the total receipt; but, it must be observed, they are exclufive of fixpence per quarter, paid on each hare for management, which amounts on fhares that have been compleated to 24851. befides what has been paid on the shares forfeited; which, if they are fuppofed to have been continued on an average three years each, makes 2951. to which must be added, a demand of two fhillings per share, made on the payment of the laft fübfcription. What this additional payment of 3551. was for, unlefs as a year's finecure falary to the projector, till he shall have found out a new fet of subscribers, is difficult 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 fuggesting a hint, which, I fear, fome of our zealous experimenters ftand in need of; that an hafty opinion may be the occafion of accumulated fufferings to our patients; and that a wife man will fufpend his judgement until the matter of enquiry fhall 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.
Great Ruffel-ftreet,
Feb. 20, 1798.

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