mean to make a very short Speech; but in it to introduce slightly the case of the young woman, p. 45 (first paragraph only), and then propose that some one should read to the Meeting Mr. Pridden's excellent Letter, p. 47*, which I think would produce a happy effect; for in it every thing is interesting and appropriate; and it will be entirely novel to the Meeting. On Monday I shall hope for your opinion. I am, &c. J. C. L." "June 22, 1810. I hope for an opportunity of seeing you respecting the print of my Island and Birth-placet, as the subject is connected with too many circumstances to explain in a Letter. "Yours sincerely, J. C. LETTSOM."

"Feb. 23, 1811. I hope you are proceeding with the engraving of Dr. Hawes's Tablet; and I wish particularly to receive from you, as early as you can favour me with it, the account of the Tablet; that I may add if requisite, and prepare by the first of March to go to press with the Report, that matters may not be hurried just before the Festival. I am, &c. J. C. LETTSOM." "DEAR MR. BOWYER NICHOLS, Nov. 18, 1811.

"In consequence of the Letter of the Committee of the Royal Humane Society, on the affair of the Medal, an allusion is made to some improvement, in consequence of the useful experiments of Captain Manby. As a man of taste, you know from Roman and Grecian models, that simplicity and unity of design constitute the beautiful and elegant; and every person whom I have consulted, has expressed his approbation of our medal, which is scarcely rivalled by antiquity; and, in my humble opinion, it is so perfect in the leading attributes of medallic expression, as to preclude any addition without injury. The whole design, with the most elegant simplicity, in a single, figure, comprizes a narrative of the Humane Society, in the act of restoring suspended life. It is a volume in epitome; and I should be grieved to see this noble monument of taste and judgment frittered away on subjects of dubiety, and any abstraction of the leading object introduced. Do weigh this matter against the time when I hope you will meet your friend, J. C. LETTSOM." "DEAR MR. BOWYER, Jan. 25, 1812.

"I thank you sincerely for an excellent likeness of your excellent Father, which I value the more from a recollection of undeviating friendship of upwards of 30 years duration. J. C. L." Feb. 7, 1812.

"DEAR MR. BOWYER,

"I now send you the copy of the Report of the Royal Humane Society. I regret that I have acted for so many Governors without aid, lest my endeavours may not have answered their expectations; and hence, during the printing, I shall hope for such hints and improvements as may occur to you. I have so far improved the third section, as to enable any person, without the aid of an apparatus, to act with probable success. Experience

**Of the Annual Report of the Royal Humane Society in 1810. + See before, p. 657.

had

had long convinced me of the danger of tobacco, to the use of which my Predecessor [Dr. Hawes] was very partial; but the remarks of John Hunter, and of every man of science, and now the experiments of Dr. Brodie, all confirm my own experience, as to the deleterious effects of this vegetable. I am, &c. J. C. LETTSOM." "DEAR MR. BOWYER, April 9, 1812.

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"I think with you, that an Appendix to the Sermon would be not only superfluous, but even lessen the importance of our worthy Preacher's pious work. The Report will anticipate any extracts from Captain Manby, or any other performance. It will stand more dignified alone, and I hope I can persuade our Reverend Friend to acquiesce in the same. You and I have had no little trouble in this publication; and with other things pressing upon my time and years, I long for quiet and retreat. Sincerely yours, J. C. L.”

"Feb. 19, 1813. All that depends upon me is completed of the Report of the Royal Humane Society. I request of you individually to draw up something respecting the long services and usefulness of Mr. Beaumont to accompany his head. And of you and Mr. Beaumont, to draw up some account of Mr. Brookes' ropes for drawing drowning persons out of the water. Of the nature and mode of using these Ropes I am ignorant. I wait for Dr. Cogan's boat-hook for the Engraver, and some explanation of it for the Printer. I suffer embarrassment and inconvenience from the tardiness of those I depend upon; and thus my labours in the Humane Society are increased and perplexed. If you should see Dr. Cogan, do urge him to complete his department, that the Engraver may be in readiness as well as "Yours respectfully, J. C. LETTSOM." Feb. 26, 1813.

"DEAR MR. NICHOLS, "I have read and approve of the Eloge designed for Mr. Beaumont; but as I am mentioned in so very polite a manner, and as I am known to draw up the Reports, would it be improper to say by whom the advertisement was prepared, to exonerate from self-complacency or egotism Your friend J. C. LETTSOM."

"March 1, 1814. I believe no Life was ever published of Mr. Neild. I will write to his Son, to get, if possible, some materials. From what he has occasionally said to me, I did expect some interesting papers; but I fear that we shall be disappointed: he has not even left a will If, however, no part of his biography remains with his Son, I think I could patch up something; and certainly it should be at your service, though I have had some other applications on the subject. I am, &c. J. C. LETTSOM."

"March 14, 1814. Mr. Neild has wrote to me, saying he possesses extensive memoirs of his Father, which he hopes, in a few weeks, to transmit to your friend, J. C. LETTSOM."

"Nov. 11, 1814. You have condensed an excellent epitome of the Memoirs of our deceased friend Dr. Anthony Fothergill *, which meets my approbation. I want much to prepare some account of James Neild, the Visitor of Prisons; but, alas! tempus fallet, et forsan semper fallebit, to the exertions of J. C. LETTSOM." See the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. IX. p. 211.

JAMES

JAMES NEILD Esq

High Sheriff of the County of Bucks. 1804, Et. 60. One of his Majesty's acting Justices of the Peace for the Counties of BUCKINGHAM, KENT and MIDDLESEX, and the City & Liberty of WESTMINSTER. Treasurer of the SOCIETY for the RELIEF of persons imprisoned for SMALL DEBTS

JAMES NEILD, ESQ.

The exertions of this worthy man in behalf of the unfortunate have long endeared his name in the hearts of those who can feel for the woes of others. The ardour and spirit of humanity which rendered him one of the most active Institutors of a Society* which

* This excellent Institution derives its origin from a Sermon preached by the Rev. Weeden Butler at Charlotte Chapel, Pimlico, and at Bedford Chapel, Bloomsbury, in the month of February, 1772. To afford relief for the miseries of those unfortunate persons, who are cruelly secluded from society by imprisonment for inconsiderable debts, was a powerful claim upon the Preacher's humanity. It had struck his own mind with the deepest compassion, and his arguments, therefore, failed not to communicate and impress the like tender feeling upon his respective audiences. The collection then made, amounted to eightyone pounds me shilling. A general approbation of the idea was declared; and a set of gentlemen readily formed themselves into a Committee, to search out proper objects, and distribute donations with the utmost œconomy. The distress and extreme wretchedness to which they were eye-witnesses, on visiting the several Gaols of the Metropolis, strongly affected their sensibility; and the more so, as it was soon found that many other objects still remained undischarged, without the means of relief. They determined, therefore, to give the Publick an account of their proceedings, in hopes that it might operate as an incitement to help forward so humane a purpose, and thus enable them to accomplish their wishes on a more extensive scale. Accordingly, in April 1772, they advertized a Report, specifying the manner in which they had expended the bounty of a few individuals; and "that with fourscore pounds they had happily released thirty-four prisoners; most of whom had large families, and appeared to be worthy and useful members of society; some of them were confined only for their fees, and the debts of others the Committee compounded upon the best terms they could. They expressed a great regret at the thought of leaving behind them, various other imprisoned suppliants; nineteen of whom appeared to be the greatest objects of compassion, and might all be discharged for less than one hundred pounds; and of the rest, many were evidently such as well deserved to share the mercy of the public, if it were possible, by future contributions, to extend that blessing to them. Their views were instantly seconded by a liberal and well-disposed Publick. They soon found themselves enabled VOL. II. Y Y

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