ways remained untouched by me, had not my credit and my interest been blasted, or thought to be blasted, by the shade which it cast from its

boundless elevation.

About ten years ago, I published an edition of Dr. Johnston's translation of the "Psalms," and having procured from the general assembly of the church of Scotland, a recommendation of its use to the lower classes of grammar-schools, into which I had begun to introduce it, though not without much controversy and opposition; I thought it likely that I should, by annual publications, improve my little fortune, and be enabled to support myself in freedom from the miseries of indigence. But Mr. Pope, in his malevolence to Mr. Benson, who had distinguished himself by his fondness for the same version, destroyed all my hopes by a distich, in which he places Jonnston in a contemptuous comparison with the author of "Paradise Lost."*

it, and resolve, that my first offence shall be my
last. More I cannot perform, and more there
fore cannot be required. I intreat the pardon of
all men, whom I have by any means induced to
support, to countenance, or patronise my frauds,
of which I think myself obliged to declare, that
not one of my friends was conscious. I hope
to deserve, by better conduct and more useful
undertakings, that patronage which I have ob-
tained from the most illustrious aud venerable
names by misrepresentation and delusion, and to
appear hereafter in such a character, as shall
give you no reason to regret that your name is
frequently mentioned with that of, Reverend Sir,
your most humble servant,
WILLIAM LAUDER.

December 20th, 1750.

TESTIMONIES CONCERNING MR.

LAUDER.

From this time all my praises of Johnston became ridiculous, and I was censured with great freedom, for forcing upon the schools, an author whom Mr. Pope had mentioned only as a foil to a better poet. On this occasion, it was Edinb. May 22d, 1734. natural not to be pleased, and my resentment THESE are certifying, that Mr. William Lauder seeking to discharge itself somewhere, was un- passed his course at this university, to the genehappily directed against Milton. I resolved to ral satisfaction of these masters, under whom he attack his fame, and found some passages in studied. That he has applied himself particu cursory reading, which gave me hopes of stigma-larly to the study of humanity* ever since. That tising him as a plagiary. The farther I carried my search the more cager I grew for the discovery, and the more my hypothesis was opposed, the more I was heated with rage. The consequence of my blind passion, I need not relate; it has, by your detection, become apparent to mankind. Nor do I mention this provocation as adequate to the fury which I have shown, but as a cause of anger, less shameful and reproachful than fractious malice, personal envy, or national jealousy.

But for the violation of truth, I offer no excuse, because I well know that nothing can excuse it. Nor will I aggravate my crime, by disingenuous palliations. I confess it, I repent

and as this was my cool and sincere opinion of that won derful man formerly, so I declare it to be the same still, and ever will be, notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, occasioned merely by passion and resentment; which appear, however, by the Postscript to the Essay, to be so far from extending to the posterity of Milton, that I recommend his only remaining descendant, in the warmest terms, to the public.

Or. two unequal crutches propp'd he came, MILTON'S on this, on that one JOHNSTON's name. Dunciad, Book IV. Benson. This man endeavoured to raise himself to fime, by erecting monuments, striking coins, and procuring translations of Milton; and afterwards by a great passion for Arthur Johnston, a Scots Physician's, version of the Psalms, of which he printed many fine editions.

Notes on the Dunciad.

One of these editions in quarto, illustrated with an interp etation and notes, after the manner of the classic authors in usum Delph ni, was by the worthy editor, a no 1741, inscribed to his Royal Highness Prince George, as a proper book for his instruction in principles of piety, as well as knowledge of the Latin tongue, when he shoui arrive at due maturity of age. To restore this book to credit, was the cause that induced me to engage in this disagreeable controversy, rather than any design V depreciate the just reputation of Milton.

for several years past, he has taught with success, students in the Humanity Class, who were recommended to him by the professor thereof. And lastly, has taught that class himself, during the indisposition, and since the death of its late professor; and therefore is, in our opinion, a fit person to teach Humanity in any school or college whatever.

J. GOWDIE, S. S. T.

MATT. CRAUFURD, S. S. T. et Hist. Ec. Pr. Reg.
WILLIAM SCOTT, P. P.

ROBERT STUART, Ph. Nat. Pr.
COL. DRUMMOND, L. G. et P. Pr.
COL. MAC-LAURIN, Math. P. Edin.
AL. BAYNE, J. P.

CHARLES MACKY, Hist. P.
ALEX. MONRO, Anat. P.
WILLIAM DAWSON, L. H. P.

A Letter from the Rev. Mr. Patrick Cuming, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, and Regius Professor of Church History in the University there, to the Rev. Mr. Blair, Rector of the Grammar-School at Dundee. D. B.-Upon a public advertisement in the newspapers, of the vacancy of a master's place in your school, Mr. William Lauder, a friend of mine, proposes to set up for a candidate, and goes over for that purpose. He has long taught the Latin with great approbation in this place, and given such proofs of his mastery in that lan guage, that the best judges do upon all occasions recommend him as one who is qualified in the best manner.

He has taught young boys and young gentlemen, with great success; nor did 1 ever hear of any complaint of him from either parents or children. I beg leave to recommend him to you as my friend; what friendship you

So the Latin tongue is called in Scotland, from the Latin phrase, classis humaniorum literarum, the or form where that language is taught.

s

show him, I will look upon as a very great act of friendship to me, of which he and I will retain the most grateful sense, if he is so happy as to be preferred. I persuade myself, you will find him ready at all times to be advised by you, as I have found him. Indeed, if justice had been done him, he should long ago have been advanced for his merit. I ever am, D. B., your most affectionate, humble servant,

Edinb. Nov. 13th, 1742.

PATRICK CUMING.

in the choice and variety of his metre, it is as plain, that he has given his poetic genius such an unlimited scope, as has in many cases quite disfigured the peculiar and inimitable beauty, simplicity, and energy of the original, which the former, by a more close and judicious version, has constantly and surprisingly displayed. Something like this we ventured to hint in our note upon these two noble versions: to have said more, would have been inconsistent with our designed brevity.

We have likewise since seen what your opponent has writ in praise of the one, and derogation of the other, and think you have sufficiently confuted him, and with respect to us, he has been A Letter from Mr. Mac-Laurin, late Professor of Mathe-so far from giving us any cause to retract what matics in the University of Edinburgh, to the Rev Mr. George Blair, Rector of the Grammar-School at Dundee.

we had formerly said, that it has administered an occasion to us of vindicating it, as we have

SIR-Though unacquainted, I take the liberty lately done by some critical notes on your excelof giving you this trouble, from the desire I have after to Mr. A. B. who was pleased to give lent Johnston, which we communicated soon always had to see Mr. Lauder provided in a manner suited to his talent. I know him to them a place in his last edition of him, and which have made uncommon progress in classical learn-we doubt not you have seen long ago. How ing, to have taught it with success, and never heard there could be any complaint against his method of teaching. I am, indeed, a stranger to

the reasons of his want of success on former oc

casions. But after conversing with him, I have ground to hope, that he will be always advised by you, for whom he professes great esteem, and will be useful under you. I am, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

COLIN MAC-LAURIN. College of Edinburgh, Nov. 30th, 1742.

A Letter from the Authors of the "Universal History," to Mr. Lauder.

London, August 12th, 1741. LEARNED SIR,-When we so gladly took the first opportunity of reviving the memory and merit of your incomparable Johnston, in the first volume of our "Universal History," our chief am was to excite some generous Mecenas to favour the world with a new edition of a poem which we had long since beheld with no small concern, buried, as it were, by some unaccounta ble fatality, into an almost total oblivion: whilst others of that kind, none of them superior, many vastly inferior, to it, rode unjustly, as we thought, triumphant over his silent grave.

your

And it is with great satisfaction that we have seen our endeavours so happily crowned in the edition you soon after gave of it at Edinburgh, in your learned and judicious vindication of excellent author, and more particularly by the just deference which your learned and pious convocation has been pleased to pay to that admirable version.

We have had since then, the pleasure to see your worthy example followed here, in the several beautiful editions of the honourable Mr. Auditor Benson, with his critical notes upon the work.

they have been relished among you we know not, but with us they have been thought sufficient to prove what we have advanced, as well as

to direct the attentive reader to discover new instances of your author's exactness and elegance, in every page, if not almost in every line. compliments you were pleased to transmit to us We gratefully accept of the books and kind by Mr. Strahan, and had long since returned you our thanks, but for the many avocations which the great work you know us to be engaged in doth of necessity bring upon us; obliging us, or some at least of our society, to make from time to time an excursion to one or other of our two learned universities, and consulting them upon the best method of carrying on this work to the greatest advantage to the public. This has been some considerable part of our employment for these twelve months past; and we flatter ourselves, that we have, with their assistance and approbation, made such considerable improvements on our original plan, as will scarcely fail of being acceptable to the learned world. the world that we have not been idle, though this They will shortly appear in print, to convince sixth volume is like to appear somewhat later in the year than was usual with our former ones. We shall take the liberty to transmit some copies of our new plan to you as soon as they are printed. All we have left to wish with respect to your excellent countryman and his version is, that it may always meet with such powerful and impartial advocates, and that it may be as much esteemed by all candid judges, as it is by, learned Sir, your sincere well-wishers and humble ser

vants,

The Authors of the "Universal History."

A Letter from the learned Mr. Robert Ainsworth, Au thor of the Latin and English Dictionary, to Mr. Lauder.

It was, indeed, the farthest from our thoughts, LEARNED AND WORTHY SIR,-These wait on to enter into the merit of the controversy be- you to thank you for the honour you have done a tween your two great poets, Johnston and Bu-person equally unknown as undeserving, in your chanan; neither were we so partial to either as valuable present, which I did not receive till not to see, that each had their shades as well as several weeks after it was sent; and since I relights; so that, if the latter has been more happy ceived it my eyes have been so bad, and my

mites into your treasury of critical notes on his
noble version. We always thought the palm
by far this author's due, as upon many other
accounts, so especially for two excellences
hitherto not taken notice of by any critic, that
we know of, and which we beg leave to transmit
to you, and if you think fit, by you to the public,
in the following observations.
We beg leave to subscribe ourselves, Sir, &c.
The Authors of the "Universal History."

hand so unstable, that I have been forced to | poet, you will permit us to cast the following defer my duty, as desirous to thank you with my own hand. I congratulate to your nation the just honour ascribed to it by its neighbours and more distant countries, in having bred two such excellent poets as your Buchanan and Johnston, whom to name is to commend; but am concerned for their honour at home, who being committed together, seem to me both to suffer a diminution, whilst justice is done to neither. But at the same time I highly approve your nation's piety in bringing into your schools sacred instead of profane poesy, and heartily wish that ours, and all christian governments, would follow your example herein. If a mixture of utile dulci be the best composition in poetry, (which is too evident to need the judg ment of the nicest critic in the art,) surely the utile so transcendently excels in the sacred hymns, that a christian must deny his name that doth not acknowledge it: and if the dulce seem not equally to excel, it must be from a vitiated taste of those who read them in their original, and in others at second-hand from translations. For the manner of writing in the East and West are widely distant, and which to a paraphrast must render his task exceeding difficult, as requiring a perfect knowledge in two languages, wherein the idioms and graces of speech, caused by the diversity of their religion, laws, customs, &c. are as remote as the inhabitants, wherein notwithstanding your poets have succeeded to admiration.

Your main contest seems to me, when stript of persons, whether the easy or sublime in poesy be preferable; if so,

Non opis est nostræ tantam componere litem: nor think I it in your case material to be decided. Both these have their particular excellences and graces, and youth ought to be taught wherein (which the matter ought chiefly to determine) the one hath place, and where the other. Now since the hymns of David, Moses, and other divine poets intermixed with them, (infinitely excelling those of Callimachus, Alcæus, Sappho, Anacreon, and all others,) abound in both these virtues, and both your poets are acknowledged to be very happy in paraphrasing them, it is my opinion both of them, without giving the least preference to either, should be read alternately in your schools, as the tutor shall direct. Pardon, learned Sir, this scribble to my age and weakness, both which are very great, and command me wherein I may serve you, as, learned Sir, your obliged, thankful, and obedient ser

vant,

ROBERT AINSWORTH.

Spitalfielas, Sept. 1741.

A Letter from the Authors of the "Universal History,"

to Mr. Auditor Benson.

Sin, It is with no small pleasure that we see Dr. Johnston's translation of the Psalms revived in so elegant a manner, and adorned with such a just and learned display of its inimitable beauties. As we flatter ourselves that the character we gave it in our first volume of the "Universal History," did in some measure contribute to it, we hope, that in justice to that great

Dr. Isaac Watts, D. D. in his late Book, entitled “The Improvement of the Mind," Lond. 1741, p. 114. Upon the whole survey of things, it is my opi nion, that for almost all boys who learn this tongue, [the Latin,] it would be much safer te be taught Latin poesy (as soon, and as far as they can need it) from those excellent translations of David's Psalms, which are given us by Buchanan in the various measures of Horace; and the lower classes had better read Dr. John ston's translation of those Psalms, another ele gant writer of the Scots nation, instead of Ovid's Epistles; for he has turned the same Psalms, perhaps with greater elegancy, into elegiac verse, whereof the learned W. Benson, Esq. has lately published a new edition; and I hear that these Psalms are honoured with an increasing use in the schools of Holland and Scotland. A stanza, or a couplet of those writers would now and then stick upon the minds of youth, and would furnish them infinitely better with pious and moral thoughts, and do something towards making them good men and christians.

An act of the Commission of the General Assembly of the
Kirk of Scotland, recommending Dr. Arthur Johnston's
Latin Paraphrase of the Psalms of David, &c.

At Edinburgh,

13th of November, 1740, post meridiem. A petition having been presented to the late General Assembly, by Mr. William Lauder, Teacher of Humanity in Edinburgh, craving, That Dr. Arthur Johnston's Latin Paraphrase on the Psalms of David, and Mr. Robert Boyd, of Trochrig, his Hecatombe Christiana, may be recommended to be taught in all grammar. schools; and the assembly having appointed a committee of their number to take the desire of the aforesaid petition into their consideration, and report to the Commission: the said com mittee offered their opinion, that the Commission should grant the desire of the said petition, and recommend the said Dr. Johnston's Paraphrase to be taught in the lower classes of the schools, and Mr. George Buchanan's Paraphrase on the Psalms, together with Mr. Robert Boyd of Trochrig's Hecatombe Christiana in the higher classes of schools, and Humanity-classes in universities. The Commission having heard the said report, unanimously approved thereof, and did, and hereby do, recommend accordingly. Extracted by

WILLIAM GRANT,* Cl. Ecl. Se

This honourable gentleman is now his Majesty' Advocate for Scotland.

A second letter from the same gentleman to Mr. Lauder, of his own words to pass for his sense, or exhibit

AN ACCOUNT OF AN ATTEMPT

ΤΟ

ASCERTAIN THE LONGITUDE.*

FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1755.

It is well known to seamen and philosophers, of the atmosphere, the effects of different effluva that after the numerous improvements produced by the extensive commerce of the later ages, the great defect in the art of sailing is ignorance of longitude, or of the distance to which the ship has passed eastward or westward from any given meridian.

upon metals, the power of heat and cold upon all matter, the changes of gravitation and the hazard of concussion, I cannot but fear that they will supply the world with another instance of fruitless ingenuity, though I hope they will not leave upon this country the reproach of unre warded diligence.

I saw therefore nothing on which I could fix with probability of success, but the magnetical needle, an instrument easily portable, and little subject to accidental injuries, with which the sailor has had a long acquaintance, which ho will willingly study, and can easily consult.

That navigation might at length be set free from this uncertainty, the legislative power of this kingdom incited the industry of searchers into nature, by a large reward proposed to him who should show a practicable method of finding the longitude at sea; and proportionable recompenses to those, who, though they should not fully attain this great end, might yet make such advances and discoveries as should facilitate the work to those that might succeed them. By the splendour of this golden encouragement many eyes were dazzled, which nature never intended to pry into her secrets. By the hope of sudden riches many understandings were set on work very little proportioned to their strength, among whom whether mine shall be numbered, must be left to the candour of posterity: for I, among others, laid aside the business of my profession, to apply myself to the study of the longitude, not indeed in expectation of the reward due to a complete discovery; yet But when the discovery of the new world not without hopes, that I might be considered turned the attention of mankind upon the naval as an assistant to some greater genius, and re-sciences, and long courses required greater ceive from the justice of my country the wages offered to an honest and not unsuccessful labourer in science.

The magnetic needle from the year 1300, when it is generally supposed to have been first applied by John Goia, of Amalphi, to the seaman's use, seems to have been long thought to point exactly to the north and south by the navigators of those times; who sailing commonly on the calm Mediterranean, or making only short voyages, had no need of very accurate observations; and who, if they ever transiently observed any deviations from the meridian, either ascribed them to some extrinsic and accidental cause, or willingly neglected what it was not necessary to understand.

niceties of practice, the variation of the needle soon became observable, and was recorded in 1500 by Sebastian Cabot, a Portuguese, who, at the expense of the king of England, discovered the northern coasts of America.

Considering the various means by which this important inquiry has been pursued, I found that the observation of the eclipses, either of the As the next century was a time of naval adprimary or secondary planets, being possible but ventures, it might be expected that the variation at certain times, could be of no use to the sailor; once observed, should have been well studied: that the motions of the moon had been long yet it seems to have been little heeded; for it attended, however accurately, without any con- was supposed to be constant and always the sequence; that other astronomical observations same in the same place, till in 1625 Gellibrand were difficult and uncertain with every advan- noted its changes, and published his observatage of situation, instruments, and knowledge:tions.

and were therefore utterly impracticable to the From this time the philosophical world had a sailor, tost upon the water, ill provided with new subject of speculation, and the students of instruments, and not very skilful in their ap-magnetism employed their researches upon the plication.

The hope of an accurate clock or time-keeper is more specious. But when I began these studies, no movements had yet been made that were not evidently inaccurate and uncertain: and even of the mechanical labours which I now hear so loudly celebrated, when I consider the obstruction of movements by friction, the waste of their parts by attrition, the various pressure

gradual changes of the needle's direction, or the variations of the variation, which have hitherto appeared so desultory and capricious, as to elude all the schemes which the most fanciful of the philosophical dreamers could devise for its explication. Any system that could have united these tormenting diversities, they seem inclined to have received, and would have contentedly numbered the revolutions of a central magnet, with very little concern about its existence, An Account of an attempt to ascertain the Longitude could they have assigned it any motion, or vicisat Sen, by an exact Theory of the Variation of the Mag-situde of motions, which could have correspondnetical Needle; with a Table of Variations at the mosted with the changes of the needle. remarkable cities in Europe, from the year 1660 to 1960.

By Zachariah Williams.

Yet upon this secret property of magnetism 1