whom the Town has now been fo long familiarized, that the lofs of him would, in the present state of the Stage, be greatly felt, and not easily repaired. To the EDITOR of the EUROPEAN MAGAZINE. WAS much gratified by reading in your elegant Mifcellany for the laft month, a poetical tribute to the memory of Lieut. Cragie, of the Marines, with whem I had the honour to participate in the glory of the day, on the quarterdeck of his Majefty's fhip Artois. Horace obferves, in one of thofe Odes which Scaliger eftimates at the value of a kingdom, that many brave men lived before Agamemnor, but are now overwhelmed in obfcurity, because they were deftitute of a bard: Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona This, however, will not be the cafe with him whom your correfpondent has recorded in his tribute, as, to the greatest force of expreffion, he combines the utmoft foftness of numbers; and a hero like him who is the fubject of it, demands fuch a poet. With Lieuteuant Cragic I have paffed many hours in the performance of naval duty, and in the relaxation from its toil. What Horace fays of Lollius, in the fame Ode, may be justly applied to him: he had a mind that was prudent in the conduct of affairs, and equally fteady in fuccefs and danger. I remember well the circumftance of his death, for I was ftationed on the quarter-deck myself. He was in the act of discharging his musket, when an eighteen pound fhot tore up the bulwark of the deck, took (I think it was) his left leg and thigh off, and SIR, dreadfully mangled a feaman who was Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit. Of the Artois thus prefented to my memory, may I be allowed to observe, that the is one of the finest frigates our navy can boaft, and manned by officers and feamen whofe characteristics are valour and intrepidity. Long may England fmile in the fweet exultation of conscious fafety, whilft her coafts are guarded by floating garrifons of men like thefe; and may the threatened invafion of an imperious foe, in lieu of impreffing her natives with terror, excite from them the contempt it deferves! If these fentiments, which come warm from the heart, be deferving a place in your Magazine, you will oblige me by inferting them. I am, Sir, &c. Stratford, Sept. 13, 1796. [If this Correfpondent will tranfmit to us the MS. he mentions, an immedi ate anfwer will be given to his question relative to it,-EDITOR.] To the EDITOR of the EUROPEAN MAGAZINE. Borong b I TAKE the Liberty of prefenting to your notice, a Paper, when perhaps it may not be deemed inapplicable; fince among the many Crimes which the Depravity of Human Nature has taught and prevailed upon Mankind to commit, there is not any more repugnant to the grand firft Law of Self Prefervation, than SUICID "'Tis only change of pain, (A bitter change 1) Severer for fevere.' THAT the land of Britain fhould have been long diftinguifhed as peculiarly addicted to this fpecies of of E. YOUNG: fence, is a melancholy truth we muft acknowledge and lament; and that each individual is as ftrictly bound to exert himself himself in the removal of such a national difgrace, we must as readily own hence, how culpable thofe who encreafe the calamity by the example of their ill-directed aims! To enter into the merits of fuch a cafe, it may be requifite to confider fuch particulars as are ufually alledged for the (real or pretended) caufe of an act, that is replete with atrocity in itfelf, and pregnant with the moft formidable evils to the community at large. That our atmosphere fhould be af. figned as a reafon why autumnal weather is conducive to fuch mental peculiarities, is what numbers may experience in different fituations; but that the means of removal are as easily applied, needs no argument to enforce; fince if dense air affects the habit and clouds the fpirits, fo the return of falubrity, exercife, mental amusement, and proper avocations, with MEDICINE when `needful, are the ready means to relieve and remove an oppreffion fo uncomfort. able in itself, difgufting to others, and repugnant to every proper engagement of life. But when the mind has been affected by any peculiarity of circumftance, the addition of fuperadded means may be equally neceffary. If trouble or foffes of a particular kind, or our being placed in fituations that are foreign to our inclinations, are the causes of depreffion, there naturally arifes the confideration of many particulars to reprefent the advantages that may be thence derived. It should be confidered, that a mind under fuch an influence, is incapable of making just conclufions about its own benefit, and that the reasonable propofitions of others are to be received with all becoming deference. That the first impreffion may be too fudden or violent to leave the mind difengaged, and a precipitate ftep, once taken, not to be recalled, will embitter every recollection of those the most to be regarded. The fituation fo much dreaded may have many palliations, not foreseen at the time, and that the expectation and abidance thereby will be moft fuitably applied for our benefit. That fuch refolutions baftily adopted are foundations of mifery, and moreover, that the proper and due fupport to be manifefted under fuch circumftances, are the moft proper means to exercife that refignation fo earnestly commanded us to obferve, by HIM, who knew what was in," and best for "man ;" and that under this difpofition we have his divine authority to affure us, that "all things fhall work together for good"-that "with the temptation there shall be a way to efcape;" and therefore as we may look abroad and always find "that no temptation hath taken us but fuch as is common to" other "men," it ought to afford us much confolation in following our Bleffed Lord, who was "made perfect thro' fufferings." Let us alfo remember that he fays, "Thou thalt do no MURDER ;" and what can be a more direct violation of this injunc tion than an act that is calculated to level the authority of the Deity, ufurp it in his ftead, and with the boldeft effrontery rub into his prefence, under the imme diate commiffion of a crime, that leaves no room for repentance," and with the bloody hands of a murderer, imprecate his vengeance on our reeking abomination ; for fuch iniquity "the land groaneth, and crieth aloud for vengeance"- -on blood and flaughter. It should alfo be confidered, that many great and precious promifes" are made to "thofe who live godly and quiet in the land," and "patiently run the race that is fet before them," under the affurance that they all" inherit the promifes:" fo does an oppofition thereto induce an adequate recompence of reward. We also know, that however grievous" any "present sorrows" may feem, yet we fhall certainly find that they are but as it were of à moment's continuance," when compared with "thofe joys that will be revealed hereafter," to those who endeavour to perform their duty in an acceptable man ner. Again: Our Difenters on the one hand, and Infidels on the other, are fertile fources of this crime; for while the heterodoxy of one, and their indifcrimi. nate abufe of real Religion, lead' the ignorant and unwary into the most delufive and dangerous paths-making a gain of godlinefs;" fo do the evil principles of the other remove every retraint which God hath enjoined for our benefit and fecurity; and in wilful perverfion banith every ground of comfort, and valuable tie of Tociety, by cafting off all fear of God, and apeing that character which all truly wife and good men moft heartily defpife ;-thus uniting their endeavours to produce the mot fatal effects in mind and body, in obftinate defiance of God and Man." There are yet OTHER confiderations to to which it may be proper we should advert—as the furviving difgrace of actions that entail a figma on our name and connections, not to be obliterated by time; and that our depraved rathness leaves a punishment for those who may least deferve the reproach, as being unconcerned in the offence: and still further, The LAW, ever aware of its fubjects benefit, never permits fuch an evil to go unpunished, but has wifely ordered a memento of SHAME to be affixed to the memory of the deceased: "the burial of an afs" is the appointed method of interment, and in fuch a place as to prove the most public monument of reproach and example for the punishment of fuch evil doers *;" and therefore let Juries recollect, that as the wifdom of our Legislature hath enjoined their infpection for the difcovery of crimes that might otherwife remain concealed, fo it is their indifpenfible DUTY to act as upright and confcientious men in the fear of God, as their determination must influence the after-conduct of others; and though there might be good hope that Chrif tians never would at fo unreasonably, yet where depravity HAS produced an incorrigible mind, the juft punishment of the Law ought to be fully enforced for the benefit of others, and proper expreflion of that honeft indignation it ΤΗ would be criminal to withhold againft The benefit of Religion is always a foother of our cares, and inftrument of our happiness; especially in the seafon of calamity, when it affordeth fuch com fort as the world can neither give or take away" fo, the way and means to enjoy this ineflimable benefit, is to make it the rule and direction of our lives, knowing it fecureib our present peace and future happiness well, there-, fore, may our most excellent Church teach us to pray, that "we may love the things which God commands, and defire that which he doth promife, that fo among the fundry and manifold changes of the world, our bearts may furely there be fixed where true joys are to be found +," and experienced for ever and ever by all those who "love and obey God:" and that "in all our troubles we may put our whole truft and confidence in his mercy, and ever more ferve him in holiness and purenels of living, through our only Mediator and Advocate Jefus Chrift our Lord +," who hath enjoined us to "let our light fhine before men, that they may fee our good works, and glorify our Father in Heaven." Dr. JAMES FORDYCE, HIS Gentleman was one of the twenty children, by one wife, of Provoft Fordyce, of Aberdeen. He received his education at the Marifchal College of that place, and early devoted himfelf to the Minitry. His first preferment, at leaft that we know of, was to be Minister at Brechin, where he officiated as early as the year 1752. He Soon after became Minister of Alloa, where he remained until about the year 1760. At that period he came to Lon don, and propofed himself as a candidate for a vacancy at the Meeting at Carter's lane, in which he was unfuccefsful. On this eccafion it was objected to him, as ftrangely inconfiftent, for any perfon who had fubfcribed the articles of the Seotch Confeffion of Faith to offer him felf in the character of a Minifter to a For this offence, which dares the authority of God and Man, it is wifely enjoined that the corpfe fhall be thrown into a pit dug in a public cross road, and a lake driven through the BODY: to remain there for example, obfervatism, and warning. + Colle&t for the 4th Sunday after Eatter. T. See the Liany in our admirable Publis Liturgy. い con conceffions increafed, until the breach became too wide to be healed. On this occafion Dr. Fordyce took a step which was not univerfally approved of by his brethren the Diffenters: he engaged to do the duty both of Mr. Toller and himself, and caufed the former to be ejected, without any charge against him (for he was a man of irreproachable character), from his office in the Meeting. From this period, if we are not mifinformed, the Meeting itself was lefs attended than before, and on Dr. Fordyce's feeling the infirmities of age growing on him, the congregation by degrees dwindled away, and the house itself has been fince shut up. Finding himself incapable of continuing his exertions as a preacher, in the manner he had been afed, he retired, firft into Hampshire, and then to Bath, where he died the it inftant, at the age of 75, according to the accounts of fome of the Daily Papers. Dr. Fordyce's firft publication was a preface to a pofthumous work of his brother David Fordyce, in the year 1752, on the Art of Preaching. This Gentleman, the Author of Dialogues on Education, and a Treatife on Moral. Philofophy, in Dodfley's Preceptor, was originally defigned for the Church, and was for fome time a Preacher. After a fuccessful tour through France, Italy, and feveral parts of Europe, when he was almost at home, and his friends ftood ready with open arms and joyful hearts to receive him, he loft his life, in its full prime, by a form on the coast of Holland, in September 1751 His death is pathetically noticed by Dr. Fordyce, in: one of his Addreffes to the Deity. He alfo wrote the following Epitaph on him: 1 Sacred to the Memory For his learning and fine taste; Y And benevolent difpofition. He warmly recommended to othert. And in his own conduct exemplified them; The dutiful fon, A- The affectionate brother, And the kind mafter, Prompted him to vifit foreign countries, For the great men it produced, After In his return home, about a year's abfence from his native countrys The Supreme Difpofer of all Events Permitted this valuable perfon of Sep To lose his life in a form On the coaft of Holland, the tember 1751. Blame not, O Reader! but adore Wafted his foul from Earth to Heaven; The following is a Lift of Dr. Fordyce's Works: 1. The Eloquence of the Pulpit. An Ordination Sermon. To which is added, A Charge. 12mo. 1752. 2. An Effay on the Action proper for the Pulpit. 12mo. Both thefe are printed at the end of "Theodorus. A Dialogue concerning the Art of Preaching. By Mr. David Fordyce." Third Edit. 12mo. 1755 3. The Methods of promoting Edification by Public InGitutions. An Ordination Sermon. To which is added, Aˇ Charge. 12mo. 1754. Thefe were delivered at the Ordi nation of Mr. John Gibfon, Mini-" fter of St. Ninian's, May 9, 17544. The Temple of Virtue. A Dream. 12mo. 1757. The 2d Edit. much altered. izmo. 1775. 5. The Folly, Infamy, and Mifery of unlawful Pleafure. A Sermon. Preach ed before the Gener 1 Affembly of the Church of Scotland, May 25, 1766. SVIN 1760. 6. A Sermon, occafioned by the Death of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Law. rence, who departed this Life Oct. 1, 2760. 1760. With an Addrefs at his Interment. 8vo. 1760. 7. Sermons to Young Women. 2 Vols. 12mo. 1766. 8. The Character and Conduct of the Female Sex, and the Advantages to be derived by young Men from the Society of virtuous Women. A Difcourfe in Three Parts. Delivered in Monkwell-ftreet Chapel, Jan. 1, 1776 8vo. 1776. 9. Addreffes to young Men. 2 Vols. 12mo. 1777. 10. The delufive and perfecuting Spirit of Popery. A Sermon preached in Monkwell-ftreet, on 10th Feb. being the Day appointed for a General Faft. 8vo. 1779. 11. Charge delivered in Monkwellftrect Meeting, at the Ordination of the Rev. James Lindley. 8vo. 1783. Printed with the Sermon preached by Dr. Hunter on that Occafion. 12. Addreffes to the Deity, 12mo. 1785 13. Poems, 12mo. 1786, BANK OF ENGLAND. THE ROTUNDA. IN this room the Brokers affemble to tranfact their bufinefs, the Pule make their purchases in the different funds, and bargains for millions are daily concluded. The dome being conftructed entirely of perishable materials, and partly cover ed with copper, without any regard to the prefervation of the timbers, was, on a furvey made in one thoufand feven hundred and ninety-four, found to be in fuch a ruinous and dangerous ftate, as to make it abfolutely neceffary to take the whole down. It was then propofed to light the room with lanthorn lights, made to open; to remove the immense iron ftoves which had been found very prejudicial, and to fubftitute open fire places inftead of them, thereby encreaf ing the pace as well as the ventilation. The prefent ftructure is fifty-eight feet in diameter, and fifty-eight feet in height, to the gallery under the lanthorn lights. There is no timber ufed in i the whole is entirely of folid materials, and was erected in one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, from the des figns and under the directions of Mr. Soane, Architect to the Bank. DROSSIAN A. ANECDOTES of ILLUSTRIOUS and EXTRAORDINARY PERSONS, PERHAPS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN. A THING OF SAREDS AND PATCHES ! ABBE VERTOT. (Continued from Page 208.) A Late celebrated Phyfician and Philofopher ufed to fay, What credit can I give to Hiftory, after I have known George the Second conftantly affirmed to have been brave, and the Princefs of Wales to have been gallant? The one I have known behave like a coward, the other I know to have been "d'une virtu à toute eprouvé," a woman of the most approved virtue." How Hiftory is indeed written we may well conjec rure from the anecdote that is told of the Abbe Vertot: He had defired a Knight of Malta to procure him from that ifland fome documents refpecting a celebrated fiege of it by the Turks, to infert in his Hiftory. The Abbe im patient, however, at the delay of the papers, wrote an account of the fiege from his own head. The papers came at laft; Vertot wrote to his friend to thank his for them; "but, alas!" faid he, HAMLET. "my good friend, your documents caine too late, my fiege has been made long ago." BISHOP SHERLOCK was a man of very ungracious appear. ance, and who by a moft wretched delivery marred the effect of those fermons which are read in the clofer with fuch rapture. Paffages of them may be produced, that either for reasoning or for eloquence equal any thing that has ever been written. The Bishop is faid not to have difcovered his very great talents till he was eighteen years of age. On the acceffion of his prefent Majefty to the Throne, he could not wait upon him with the reft of his Brethren, but he fent him a most excellent letter, which was, I think, printed in all the Newfpapers of the time. The Bishop was a great Civil and Crown Lawyer, as well as a great Divine and Scholar. AN |