That many important remains of our hiftory fill lurk in MS. is well-known, and evinced from the catalogues of great libraries. Some may also be in private hands. That every care should be exerted to recover and print fuch pieces, needs not be infifted on. But there is another matter which claims confideration, as a convincing proof that our history is neglected; and, after ftating this, it may be prefumed that the reader will be convinced that thefe letters are not groundless: and, of courfe, this preliminary being adjufted, the other parts of the plan may be confidered in their order. This other proof that our history is neglected, confifts in the amazing deficiency of differtations by our literati, upon curious or intricate points of ancient English history.

In most foreign countries, the works of this fort, written by the moft eminent writers, are very numerous. If the reader will look into the Hiftorical Libraries, published for the feveral countries, he will be ftruck with astonishment to fee that English works of this kind, compared with thofe of France, Germany, Italy, nay, the Northern kingdoms, are in number about as one to one hundred. Let him only take up the large Hiftorical Catalogue, in four volumes, at the end of Lenglet Du Freinoy's Methode pour etudier l'Hif toire, ed. 1772, 15 vols. 12mo, he will find all the works published on Englih history thrown into a few pages; while thofe on French, German, Italian, almost fill volumes. It is believ ed, that fingle works of Selden, Verfiegan, Sheringham, and Langhorne, forin almost the fum total of books exprefly written to illuftrate our history and all of them published before criticifm was introduced into antiquities, and before we had got fo far up the hill of fcience as to difcover much around us. Selden was indeed a man whole erudition, independently of his other great merits, does high honour to his country. But he was quite immerfed in Oriental learning; and his works on Englih antiquities are by far his worst, and abound with paffages which cannot ftand against found criticifm. The anfiquities of the middle ages were but beginning to be ftudied in Selden's time. No Du Cange nor Muratori had appear ed. The diplomatic fcience, in parti cular, was unknown: and Dugdale, another very eminent antiquary, has, in His Monafticon Anglicanum, published

:

charters, which Germon, De Re diplo matica, has evinced to be forgeries, from marks fo grofs as to need no inveftigation.

Unfortunately, we have begun quite at the wrong end of our history. We abound in general histories; but want the proper authorities and proofs, the foundations upon which they should ftand. The object is, first to fettle the grounds of our Iftory; and, after that, build the fabric who will. A hundred points of the greatest confequence remain to be treated in detached differta tions, to be examined to the bottom by fevere criticifm, and all the authorities produced. Suppofe, as parallel inftances to fimilar differtations of foreign writers, we had difquifitions, On the Commerce of the Phoenicians and Greeks in Bri tain: Whether any British Nation paid Tribute to the Romans before the Time of Claudius: On the ancient Languages in Britain: On the Ufe of the Latin Tongue in Britain; and how it comes to pals that Britain did not furnish one Latin Writer in the Roman Times, while Gaul, Spain, produced many: If Severus built any Wall in Britain: What was the real Caufe of the Arrival of the Iutes in Kent, Chance or Invitation : The Extent and Hiftory of each Hep❤ tarchic Kingdom: The Form of Saxon Government: Of Regal Power among the Saxons: Of the Power of the Peo ple: The Private Life of the Saxons From what Year, and what Time of the Year, our old Hiftorians reckon the Chriftian Era, &c. &c. &c. These inftances are only given as they flow from the pen; and the reader may easily fuggeft to himself other fubjects more important and curious. It fhall only be added, that fuch pieces would, in the hands of dull and illiterate writers, be come infipid, as all other fubjects would; but that, in foreign countries, fuch differtations not only appear, but are produced by writers of the greatest learning, literary experience, and critical fagacity; often with every charm of. elegant and vivacious language. The latter qualities are, indeed, more pleafing than neceffary in treating fubjects of inftruction; and in which truth becomes fufpicious if arrayed in the gorgeous drefs of cloquence, fo often worn by fal hood. Let this point be closed with enumerating a very few names of foreigners diftinguished by the illuftration of their national history, that we may confider what we have to oppofe to

them.

them. The Germans boaft of Cluverius, Couringius, Schard, Reineccius, Freher, Lindenbrog, Schilter, Heinack, Leibnitz, Mafcou, Scheepflin, &c. The French of Vignier, Pafquier, Du Chefne, Valais, Fauchet, Mezeray, La Carry, Mafion, Hottoman, Pithou, Petau, Ba Inze, le Duc d'Efpernon, Du Cange, Montesquieu, Du Bos, Le Gendre, Labbé, &c. Italy has fo numerous names for each petty ftate, that the difficulty lies in the choice; but let Sigonius and Muratori be felected, names équa! 10 a thoufand.

Topography may be confidered as an hiftorical department, which has thriven much in Britain of late, chiefly by the foftering cares of the author of the Bri ith Topography, and the editor of the Bibliotheca Topographica, It gives great pleature to fee that, in this branch at Iraft, we are perhaps equal to other na tions. But the warmest admirers of topography will not put it on a par with the general hiftory, or even geography, of a whole kingdom. Local history, however. may contribute materials for general hiftory; though, in the run of our topographers, the hiftorical part be feldom profoundly treated. It is alfo remarkable, that while Germany has Cluverius and Cellarius; and France her Sanfons, De l'Ifles, and D'Anvilles; Britain cannot boaft of any geographer who has obtained the fmalleft fame. In chropology, Uther and Simfon yield to none.

As it is believed that the reader will allow, from the two grand confiderations already ftated, to wit, deficiency In the publication of our hiftorical mo numents, and deficiency in modern works illuftrative of our ancient hiftory, that thefe letters are not unfounded; but that our national hiftory is really neg lected; this preliminary fhall be confidered as allowed; and other parts of the little plan, laid down in the first letter, fhall be entered upon.

Mr. URBAN,

THE

PHILISTOR.

April 9.

HE following anecdote, relative to the learned Bifhop Cumberland, who was preferred to the fee of Peterborough in 1691, deferves particular notice. To the honour of the prefent age, we have lately feen fome similar appointments, unfolicited and unexp ed; and it is to be hoped we fhall fee many more, as no other mode of preferment can either afford encourage.

ment to learning, or fupport the dignity of the church. The greatest and molt glorious patriot is the munificent res warder of merit. J. H N.

"As defert was, above all things, regarded in the difpofal of preferments, fo it was especially in ecclefiaftical ones, Whatever motives might, in other times, have recommended clergymen to bishoprics, at this feafon nothing could do it but merit. It was-not fo much confidered who had made their court beft, but who had deferved it best; and the men, who were then raised to that

high ftation, were fuch, and fuch only,

as had been most eminent for their learning, moft exemplary in their lives, and firmeft to the Proteftant interest.

"Whilft thefe qualifications only were confidered, fuch a man as Dr. Cumberland could not eafily be over looked, though he himself did, least of any man, look for fuch a promotion. The King was told, that Dr. Cumber land was the fittek man he could nomi, hate to the bishopric of Peterborough, Thus a private country clergyman, without posing to court, a place he had rarely feen, without fuing to great men, without taking the leaft fteprowarts fo liciting for it, was pitched upon to fill fo great a truft, only because he was fitteft for it. He walked, after his ufual manner, on a poft-day, to the coffee. houfe, and read in the news paper, that one Dr. Cumberland, of Stamford, was named to the bishoptic of Peterborough; a greater furprize to himself than to any body elfe." Cumb. Sanch. pief, p. 12.

**We are much obliged to the worthy Defcendant of Dr. Wallis, for the communi❤ cation of his good Anceftor's Papers and Memoirs; and thall extract from them, for the entertainment of our Readers, fuch par ticulars as are not already in the Biogra phia Britannica."-We with Mr. W. much fuccefs in his intended publication of the Doctor's original Sermons.

they are early introduced into life-to public amufements; and that they foon commence men of the world. Some people complain, that habits of licentioufnefs and profligacy are contracted before proper PRINCIPLES and TASTE are established; and hence characters are formed, which muft turn out ignorant, vicious, and despicable in life. Thefe notions, however, fhould be ridiculed. What they call licentiousness, is no more than freedom, the acknowledged birthright of every Briton; and, if health permits it (or whether it permits or not), why thould not young people enjoy life in the way they like it! It is in vain to urge, that they will be defpicable in life, for they can only be like their neighbours, and then there is no room for contempt. Cuftom can give fanction to any extravagance; and the multitude of the proAgate gives countenance to what (in more fober times) might indeed be reckoned the most pernicious vices. But there is now happily a liberal way of thinking, and freedom and eafe is the fashion. There is now no fuch thing as frame, that painful feeling; and young people, who can glory in nothing elfe, have always their profligacy left to boatt of without a blush, and in this they are fupported by many older fellows than themselves. It is no uncommon thing for father and fon, tutor and pupil, to mix in licentious difcourfe, to laugh at religion, principles of rectitude, and decorum. This is the very flate of fociety I hope to fee univerfal; and it is coming en to my with.

I formerly reckoned this a most unfriendly climate; but things are greatly mended, and, in order to ripen the harveft, I fhall fubjoin a few directions.

If the fon has been educated upon the plan pointed out in my former letters, and which, I have reafon to think, is the most approved of, he will make a rapid progrefs towards being a fashiona able fine fellor.

Having no refraint upon his mind from a fenfe of his duty to his CREATOR, the witnefs and judge of all he does not having been taught to contider the motives of his actions, or to act from principles of juftice, by doing to others in every cafe as he would with to be done 10 himself in like circumftances having no fenfe of obedience to parents from duty or affection-having had no ideas impreffed upon his mind of the deftiny of his nature the importance of time--or of fulfilling the duties of the

ftation allotted him-all fuch things be ing reckoned much above his comprehenfion, or neglected till he becomes a man; he will, before you imagine, confider himself a man without them, and be as free as the inhabitants of the fo reft; and like them too he will act. His own inclinations will be the only rule of his conduc, and thefe he will pursue without regard to any view but prefent gratification.

And now comes the mother's vexation; the father's uneafinefs will come a little later. SHE muft wink at all her fon's faults, and carefully conceal them, efpecially as they will generally reflect upon her own condu&. If the father fhould chide him, or be harsh for his mifdemeanors, it must be represented by the mother that it will break the boy's fpirit. If the father fhould make any enquiry about the conduct of his fon, or how he has paffed his time, let the mother amuse him with a cock and a bull story. The boy will foon learn, from the example, to deceive them both; or, if he should be detected in a falfehood (although he has always been told to tell the truth), he will very naturally fay, did you not do fo yourself? I have no objection to parents giving good precepts, if they contradict them in practice. If he fhould live fome years, the parents need not be furprised if he fhould curse the way he had been brought up; but more of this afterwards. The mother may, perhaps, upon occafions, find it neceflary to give her fon advice; but her admonitions will now come too late. Her words go for nothing; he knows her indulgence too well, and he can coax her at any time. She must carefully conceal all his faults, for fear they should be corrected.

If the father is a right father, let him fear freely before his for, and, by way of wit, bring in double entendres in his converfation; but if he has no wit, he may ufe the fingle, which is much easier understood. His fon will foon turpafs him in all the three accomplishments of fwearing and double and fingle entendre, and will treat his mafter very properly with difrefpect.

Soine people, even yet, are scrupulous how they fpeak before young perfons; but this is being over delicate. There is nothing more common than for the father to lay-" Never mind him, he is but a boy."My young friends, however, are not fo unoblerving, and impreffions on their minds are indelible.

No word or action of those they look up to is loft; and therefore I with the example to be continued, as it brings them forward in their education.

Give your fon always plenty of pocketmoney, and he will eafily find proper companions to spend it with. The gingerbread and bun period is now over, and he must now be more amply fup. plied. He will entertain his companions with what his father faid, and how he gulled his mother. Inftead of attending the French or any evening-fchool, he will now and then rake about the street, and in the groupes of idle youths and girls, and my knowing female friends, who, by a proper indulgence of the police, infeft it, his knowledge and manners will be highly improved. When young miffes come to visit at home, they will not find your fon beepib or bafb. ful! Some mothers complain, that they dare not truft their daughters out of their fight, the boys are fo early vicious, and fo foon turn blackguards. I fhall give my advice upon this point, when I come to fpeak of FEMALE EDUCA

TION.

The next step is, to have a fashionabie hairdreJer. Your fon must have no regular time of dreffing, if he wishes to be fashionable. Let his hair be combed in the morning-half-dreffed before dinner-and full-dreffed in the evening. An hour at leaft, each time, must be employed in this important busness.Brown powder in the morning-a mixture of brown and white before dinner and in the evening, white scented. In the morning the hair may be loosely plaited, and turned up, like a lady's, on the top of the head; but as this fashion has now got down to footmen, fome new mode must be devifed. Let my young friends always follow the fabion of the ladies, and they cannot be far wrong. Your fon will receive much inftruction by being fo long in company every day with the hairdreffer. The news of every family he attends, and their economy, will be narrated. How the initles are employed-how to be drefled their converfation-and their engagements; be fides, he may drop a hint now and then, &c.-By this means the hairdreffer will become a most domestic animal, and the mafter or miftrefs need not be furprifed if he should fometimes be their lodger for a night. NANNY and BETTY, the fervants, are prudent girls, and your fon or daughter may profit fome day by their circumfp Etion i

Mr. Pommade runs no risk of deteo tion in his own intrigue with the maids, unless the miftrefs is feized with wan dering about at untimeous hours; or young mafter should want a glass of wa ter at midnight. I am, &c. BELZEBUB. Feb. 19.

Mr. URBAN,

IN answer to your correfpondent (p. 188), who defires an explanation of Tid, and Mid, and Mifera,

Carling, Palm, and Good-pas-day; Tide, and tile, are words in common ule in the North of England, fignifying foon, or quickly; and tider, or titter*, fooner or nearer. The tider you come, the tider you'll go," [proverb] probably a corruption of the biber. Tid, then, in this inftance, means the first Sunday in the first line; Mid, the middle of the first three, of Mifera, I can only fuppofe it to be the first word in fome office appropriated to that day in the mitfal. Grey peafe are called Carlings in fome counties; but whether the peafe were denominated after the feftival, or the festival after the peafe, remains to be proved. Carling, or Careing, may be derived from carefully preferving and preparing the bell peale for the purpofe, or perhaps, Charing, or Charling, from parching the peale like charcoal; or, laftly, if (as is allerted) this feaft was the cars of corn by the difciples, might inftituted to commemorate the plucking it not be caring-Sunday? an e and a c, when written, being very frequently not have doubtlefs thus originated, and condiftinguishable; and many mistakes tinued undetected. Palm requires no explanation; and Good-pas-day is ob viously either an abbreviation of Parque, Pafchal, or Palover.

VAILS (as it is commonly pronoun. ced), I conceive to have been originally the Latin Vale, as it is applied to farewell gifts to fervants. R. P.

* When I was on a vifit in Yorkshire, I found the family one morning employed in fecuring a fwarm of bees, which had fixed A poor on a high tree in the garden. neighbour came in to atiift, and the first words fhe spoke, I write exactly as the pronounced them: "Ya fed a cute doon t' bewfs itter, and tok' em i' i' evi.” It is impof fible, however, to defcribe on paper her accent, or the rapidity of her utterance, which rendered it ftill more unintelligible. Does this woman fpeak English? whifpered I to my friend. Yes, faid he; and her words are, "You should have cut down the boughs ter [fooner], and taken them into

the hive."

Mr. URBAN,

BEFOR

March 29. EFORE we proceed to treat of Apelles and the other ancient artifts mentioned in a former paper, it will be neceffary to confider what is meant by the term GRACE, as applied fcientifically to works of arr. GRACE, then, is an effect produced by an union of component parts, each of which parts is perfectly beautiful when taken fingly, and all of them aptly combined when taken jointly. To render a work graceful, each of the parts must be perfectly beautiful when taken fingly, because otherwife there would be a degree of deformity in fome one or more parts, with which deformity Grace could not confift: all the parts too must be aptly combined, otherwife there would be a want of connexion, of agreement, of completion; and thus, as the work would not be entire, it could not, to a difcerning eye, appear graceful. Nor is it enough to conftitute Grace that the individual parts be beautiful, and the whole coherent; there muft, moreover, be fuch a difpofition of parts, as that each may fet off the other; and in the general finishing there must be an eafy manner, free on the one hand from elaborate affec. tation, and on the other from careless negligence. Apply the term Grace to human manners; it proceeds from a ready addrefs in performing the duties of politenefs, without officicufnefs, and without inattention; without fervility, and without rufticity:

Virtus eft medium vitiorum, & utrinque reductum. HOR.

Grace in poetry refults from pleafing defcription, or affecting fentiment, expreffed in elegant language: there is much Grace, for instance, in thefe Greek

verses:

I kifs'd her wailing: as a fountain's rill Our blended mouths her tears faft-dropping fill:

She anfwer'd when I afk'd her, "Why do you weep?" [“ver keep.” "I have fear'd you'll leave me oaths yene The fimplicity and elegance of the ori ginal excite in the mind a degree of affection for the compofition itself, and when that emotion is raifed, the work may be faid to have Grace in it. In mufic, we no fooner hear fuch strains as "Softly fweet in Lydian measure," "He fhall feed his flock,"-" Che faro," -"Eja Mater," or fuch meafures as the "Paftorale Symphony, "--the "Minuet in Ariadne," or in " Berenice," than we are captivated with the delicious, founds, and pronounce the compofitions exquifite. The Grace with which these pieces of harmony are finished fo fafciDates our mind, that we wish to hear them a thousand times repeated. Thofe who are converfant with the works of eminent painters cannot but have obferved the Grace which marks the com pofitions of Guido and Corregio. Tho' the attitudes of thefe mafters are not equally pleafing, as the air of Guido's figures is more ftudied than that of Corregio's, yet the "Virgin with the infant Jefus and St. John," by the former, and the Virgin with the infant Jefus, Mary Magdalen, and St. Jerom," by the latter, have been always admired as performances of fuperior excellence in the delicate and elegant ftyle of painting, and are pointed out as examples for those who aim at Grace in their productions.

From thefe illuftrations we shall be

understood when we fay, that Grace was the characteristic of Apelles. In defign and colouring he had his equals, in difpofition and proportion his fuperiors; but in Grace he was without a rival. And this delicacy feems to be the refult, as of natural genius, fo alfo of unremitted induitry; for he never fuf fered a Gngle day to pafs without fome exercife of his art. 66 Nothing is denied to well-directed labour: nothing is to be obtained without it." (See Reynolds's 2d Difc.) His pencil was fo famous for drawing fine lines, that Protogenes difcovered by a fingle line that Apelles had been at his houfe. Protogenes lived at Rhodes: Apelles failed thither, and went to his houfe with great eagernefs, to fee the works of an artist who was known to him only by name. Protogenes was gone from home: büt

an