were made for their reception. Two, three, and four days elapsed, and not a sign of their coming; but the fifth was more propitious, and my expectations were at length realized by the appearauce of a carriage on the declivity of the hill, bending its way towards my dwel ling, I hastened to meet them, and bid a welcome to the country. My conjec tures as to the party were rightly formed, only that an addition presented itself in the person of my cousin Louisa. Not a hungry glutton at the sight of a smoking sirloin, or a thrifty miser at the addition of one piece to his heap, could have manifested more delight than I did. I verily believe I could have stifled them out of mere affection; I would have led them to the house, and ordered, refreshments, but they were anxious to take a country walk, and I volunteered my services to act as conductor. The morning was remarkably fine, and the village, with the adjacent prospects, formed a pleasing picture for my London friends, who had been so accustomed to the regular disposition of the chinney-pots in town, that a tree was a complete object of admiration, a thatched cottage superior to any palace, and a mouthful of fresh air sweeter than all the enjoyments of a crowded street put together. "But what has become of all your neighbours ?" said Louisa-"they ap pear to have deserted the place; I long to see some of your rustic beauties," "You shall soon be gratified, then; old Farmer Heartly lives close by, and as he is concerned in the sale of the estate Mr. Manning is about to purchase, he would like to see him as soon as possible." "But you don't mean to call him a rustic beauty, do you?" "O no; his daughter I mean-the pride of our village; but come along." We reached the collage, the neatness and simplicity of which excited universal approbation. The farmer was out, but his rosy-cheeked daughter gave us a smiling welcome, and put before us a bowl of fresh rich cream and home-made bread. To those who never knew the delights of such a repast, it was peculiarly grateful, and every body agreed what a pleasant thing it must be to live in the country. Farmer Heartly returned shortly after, and welcoming all in the rough accent of an honest countryman, retired with Mr. Mauning, to consult on the purchase. We pursued our way, and had scarcely left the cottage when the conversation turned on its pretty inmate. Well," said Louisa, "if this is a sample of your village lasses, you are better off than I imagined. I suppose you have selected one for the mistress of your estate." I answered in the negative, and turning my eyes to Miss Manning, perceived a slight blush on her cheek, and felt something similar on my own. "I wonder," continued my tantalizing cousin, whom I afterwards found was aware of my growing attachment for Miss Manning, that the sparkling eyes and rosy cheek of some sweet Daphne or Phillis have not run away with your heart." "Does my cousin, then, suppose that I am to sacrifice my happiness to a pretty outside? I thought she knew I placed too great a value on “mind,” to suffer such a consideration to weigh a tittle with me." "I am not arguing that you are totally insensible to mind," but I must cordially agree with a celebrated author, who observes that you young men generally endeavour to deposit that mind in some fair temple," and continually tell us at the same time that beauty is not your object.” "To style myself insensible to beauty. would be disregarding the fairest work of God. I value it I admire it; but hope that I shall have sufficient reason left to prefer a plain face, with a good heart, to a beautiful countenance with a vain one." "Excellent! - admirable! - Where did you steal that from? Why, you have been down here for something, Peter. I declare you get quite a philosopher; but notwithstanding. I should not like to oppose your resolution to the attractions of beauty and wealth— two powerful incentives." If I know any thing of my own. heart, I should not hesitate a moment; for "Hold!-no more beroics!-I assent to what you declare, and only am sorry that your friend Sir Edward Courtly has not a little more of your spirit." "Sir Edward Courtly!-How!—explain!" "He is on the eve of marriage with a near relation of your neighbour, Sir Lionel, a lady destitute of every per fection (or else this world is envious) save one." "And what is that" "Cupid could not confine him in a silken net, so caught him with a gold one, and he marries-to 30.000l. The world calls it a famous thing; Sir Edward styled the happiest of men, and his creditors now wear a merrier face than they have done for some time." He is, indeed, fortunate, in one sense, but not in the right one; I do not envy him, believe me Our strictures upon Sir Edward were put an end to by the approach of Mr. Manning, and we entered the house. The freshness of the air had given each an appetite, and justice was done to the repast. The evening was spent with all the conviviality natural to friends, though my cousin Louisa took a particular delight in resuming the old subject, and making observations. She well knew I understood, but my vexation was more than counterbalanced by the easy familiarity of her friend, whose natural good sense and endearing manners made a still further impression on my heart. (To be continued.) To the Editor of the European Magazine. OBSERVATIONS on the LETTERS of PLINY. SIR, יון HESE letters may be taken as a model for the epistolary style, exhibiting all the ease, fluency, and elegauce, which should be the peculiar characteristics of this kind of writing, and at the same time clothed in lan guage at once chaste, nervous, and perspicuous. They abound every where with sentiments of the most disinterested patriotism, and the purest philanthropy, qualities which present themselves to the reader, not only adorned by the glow of eloquence, but enforced by the example of the author, who was eminently endowed with these virtues, and who was also so thoroughly versed in the knowledge of human nature, that from his letters alone might be collated a code of moral axioms, which whoever should strictly observe, would scarcely need any other guide to regulate his conduct through life. Having thus briefly pointed out in what the chief merit of these letters appear to me to consist, I shall now proceed to notice such passages in them ás I conceive to be objectionable. The elegant translator of the letters I am considering, has endeavoured to apologize for the instances of self commendation, which he allows to be frequent in his author, and in extenuation of a practice revolting to modern ideas of modesty, has cited several examples of a similar kind from the most celebrated writers of antiquity, and even one from Holy Writ, where Moses says of himself that he was the meekest man upon earth." True modesty, he adds, according to the idea the ancients had of it, did not forbid a man to speak well of himself when he has merit to support the character he claims. 66 There may be some truth in this ob servation; but I confess that I am so much a moderu, as to doubt whether any man has a right to set himself up for a judge of his own merit: for which reason I could never read the following passages in Pliny's letters with satisfaction. In letter 38, book vi. addressed to Romanus, to whom he recommends the perusal of one of his speeches, he speaks of this (his own production) in the following terms: "The abundance of matter, the just order in which it is arranged, the little narratives that are dispersed throughout, together with the several kinds of style which diversify the composition, will always give it an air of novelty. I will even venture to say to you, what I dare not say to any one else, that a spirit of animated and sublime eloquence breaks out in many parts of it; as in others, it assumes the close and argumentative manner."-This is pretty well; but I am still less pleased with his letter to Priscus 21, book iii. wherein he takes occasion to mention au instance of his own bounty to Martial, and at the same time encloses a copy of verses addressed to him by that poet, and written in the highest strain of adulation; but not more so than Pliny seems to have thought himself entitled to, from the following expression" He gave me the best he had to bestow, and it was want of power only that his present was not more valuable." These, and many other instances which occur in the course of his correspondence with his friends, prove that Pliny was by no means insensible to his own merits; nor am I disposed to find fault with this sentiment, it is the unqualified expression of it that appears to me to be unbecoming even in a conf dential communication to a friend. It cannot be doubted, from several passages in Pliny's letters, that the mind of this great and good man was somewhat tinctured with the superstition of the times in which he lived; but, as his ingenious translator has ob served, this was also the case with the greatest characters of that age, and therefore it would be unjust to bring a charge of weak credulity against Pliny. Now, though I am ready to admit this as a sufficient apology for the wonderful stories related in letter 26, book vii. about a ghost rallling his chains, which Pliny says he believes upon the credit of others; and two other ghosts who entered a window, and cut off a poor boy's hair as he lay asleep (which latter story he gives upon his own credit); yet I confess I am at a loss to account, upon any principle short of downright credulity, for the credence which Pliny professes to give to the story of the dolphin and the boy, as related in letter 38, book ix, which, though he declares it to be authenticated upon undoubted evidence, is scarcely surpassed by any thing to be met with in the adventures of the renowned Baron Munchausen. It is not surprising that a degree of importance should be attached to the most triffing production of such a writer as Pliny-the most trivial incident connected with such a character, naturally excites a degree of interest; yet I really do think that a few of the letters in this collection (such for instance as that to his colleague Cornutus, No. 21, book vii,) might have been omitted without any serious loss to posterity. The whole purport of this letter is to inform his friend that he had got sore eyes, and at the same time to thank him for a pullet, which he observes "notwithstanding the weakness of his eyes, he could discover was extremely fat " These objections, however, are unimportant, and sink into nothing, when compared with the innumerable beauties, and the intrinsic excellence, which every reader of taste and judgment will readily discover in these letters. R. A. D. RICHARD WAtts, Esq. by his will, dated 22d of August, 1579, founded this Charity for six poor Travellers, Who not being Rogues or Proctors, May receive gratis, for one night, Lodging, Entertainment, and fourpence each. In testimony of his munificence, In honor of his memory, And inducement to his example, Nathaniel Hood, Esq. the present Mayor, has caused this stone Gratefully to be renewed, and inscribed, A.D. 1771. He And on further inquiry I found that Richard Watts, Esq. of Rochester*, in Queen Elizabeth's time, dwelt in a house called Satis, on Bolly-hill, in the parish of St. Nicholas, in this city, which house is now the property of Joseph Brook, Esq. His noble charity to the poor of this city will appear by the following summary of his will, dated the 22d of August, 1579. gave unto his wife Marian all his lands, tenements, annuities, and freehold estates whatsoever, for her widowhood; and if she married again, then he gave her an annuity of twenty marks for her life, chargeable on his said estates; and after her marriage or death he willed that his principal house, called Satis, with the house adjoining, the closes, orchards, gardens, and appurtenances, his plate and household furniture, should be sold; and after some legacies paid thereout, the residue to be placed out at interest by the Mayor and Citizens of Rochester, and the interest and profits. to be employed to the perpetual support of an alms-house then erected, and standing near the market-cross in Rochester; and that there be added thereto six several rooms, with chimneys, for the comfort. placing, and abiding of the poor within the said city; and also to be made apt and convenient places therein for six matrices, or flock beds, and other good and sufficient furniture, to harbour or lodge in poor travellers or wayfaring men, being no common rogues nor proctors;† and they, the said wayfaring men, to har. bour and lodge therein no longer than * icbard Watts, Esq. represented this city the second Parliament in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, +It is generally thought that the reason of Mr. Watts's excluding procters from the benefit of this charity was, that a proc or bad been employed to make his will, whereby he had given all the estates to himself; but lam one night, unless sickness be the further cause thereof; and those poor folks there dwelling, should keep the same sweet, and courteously entreat the said poor travellers; and every of the said poor travellers, at their first coming in, to have fourpence; and they should warm them at the fire of the residents, within the said house, if need be."— And further to support the said house, and to purchase flax, hemp, yarn, wool, and other necessary stuff to set the poor of this city to work, he gave to the Mayor and Citizens all other his lands, tenements, and estates, for ever. The annual rents of these lands, &c. at the time of making his will, amounted to 361. 16s. 8d.; and his next and immediate heirs have authority to inspect the accounts of the charity every four years. The leases were not to exceed twenty-one years. The will was proved the 20th of September, 1579. Mrs. Watts, the sole executrix, married, after six years, to one Thomas Pagitt; and certain doubts arising about the will of Mr. Watts, an agreement was entered into between the parties-" By which the late Mrs. Watts was to keep Satis, the furniture, &c.; and in consideration of this, she was to pay one hundred marks towards repairing the alms-house, to pay all the monies willed by Mr. Watts, to clear the lands bequeathed of all claims, and to convey other lands to the yearly rent of 201." And the Mayor and Citizens agreed to purchase hemp, &c. to set the poor to work, and to provide for travellers as directed. The Mayors succeeding are to provide a sufficient Citizen, within ten days after they are sworn, whose business it shall be to receive and disburse the yearly profits, under the name of provider: which provider is to deliver an annual account of the receipts and disbursements to the Dean and Chapter, or to the Bridge wardens. The poor residing in the house are to be put in by the Mayor for the time being. In this state the charity continued until the year 1672, when the parishes of St. Margaret's and Stroud complained in Chancery, by Sir Heneage Finch, inclined to think that the word proctor is derived from procurator, who was an itinerant priest, and had dispensations from the pope to absolve the subjects of this realm from the oath of allegiance to Queen Eliza beth, in whose reign there were many such priests. Attorney-general, that they had no share of, nor benefit from, Mr. Watts's charity, left for the poor of the city of Rochester, although part of their parishes were in the liberties and precincts of the said city. They shewed that the estate at London was leased by Mr. Watts in his life-time for ninety-nine years, at 87. per annum, which lease expired in 1658; and, from improvements made during the lease, it then yielded to the Mayor and Citizens of Rochester 2001. per annum; and that from the estates in Chatham they received 501. per annum above the origi nal value.* That the Mayor and Citizens of this city have not been wanting in setting a due value on so liberal a benefaction, is evident,not only from the attention they pay to the building, and in seeing the generous design of the testator duly performed; but in 1736 they gave a fresh expression of their gratitude, in causing a very handsome mural white marble moDument to be erected to his memory, on the south side of the door entering into the choir of Rochester cathedral: on the top of this monument is a small but very neat bust of Mr. Watts, given by Joseph Brooke, Esq. as appears by the following inscription: Under the busts: Archetypum nunc dedit Jos. Brooke, de Satis, Arm. On the marble monument beneath it: Sacred to the memory of Richard Watts, Esq. a principal benefactor to this city, who departed this life September 10th, 1579, at his mansion-house on Bully-hill, called Satis (so named by Queen Elizabeth, of glorious memory), and lies interred near this place, as by his will doth plainly appear; by which will, dated August 22d, and proved September 25th, 1579. He founded an alins house for the relief of poor people, and for the reception of six poor travellers every night, and for employing the poor of this city. The Mayor and Citizens of this city, in testimony of their gratitude and his merit, have erected this monument A. D. 1736.-Richard Watts, Esq. then Mayor. Notwithstanding the defendants, the *The original annual value of the estate in Chatham, left by Mr. Watts, is in the decree said to be twenty marks, equal to 13!. 6s. 8d. Mayor and Citizens, alledged that no part of those parishes were within the city, or the ancient walls or limits thereof; yet a decree in that court was made, ordering that St Margaret's parish should receive 30 a year till the lease of ninety-nine years, of the estate at Chatham, expired; afterwards they should receive six parts out of thirty, which shall from time to time be made by any improvement of rents, &c. over and above the said 30. It decreed to the parish of Stroud 207, on the same condition, and when the said lease expired, four parts of thirty of the improved rents, together with the 207. per annum. And the remaining twenty parts were decreed to the Mayor and Citizens of Rochester, for the relief of travellers, and other charitable uses. The estates of this excellent charity are now so far improved as to amount to near 5001. per annum : the receipts and disbursements are regularly inspected by the Committee for Charitable Uses.* The house appointed for the reception of the poor travellers is situated on the north side of the High-street, and is probably the original building. A very considerable sum was expended by the Mayor and Citizens on its repair in 1771. Agreeably to the benevolent design of the donor, poor travellers have lodging and fourpence each; and that this charity might be more generally known, the foregoing inscription was fixed over the door. I am, Sir, your constant reader, London, Jun. 16, 1818. M. ROSS. Tothe Editor of the European Magazine. SIR, the terms of any power of the binomial, without being under the necessity of performing the involution. The method by which this is performed is called 64 Sir Isaac Newton's Rule by writers for raising a Binomial to any Power whatever" (See Hutton's Mathematics, and Bonnycastle's Alg.) But every requisite information on this subject inay be obtained by consulting the four last chapters of the second sect. of vol. I. Euler's Algebra, and therefore any further remarks here would be superfluous. I am, Sir, your's, respectfully, J. R. YOUNG. Kent-road, March ".. compliance with the request of our Correspondent, M. A R. we insert a List of those Chimney Sweepers who have engaged to sweep Chimnies with Machines. Thomas Allen, No. 20, Middle-street, Cloth-fair, Benjamin Brasier, 3, Colt-yard, Mileend road, S. Brown and Son, No. 3, George-yard, Water-lane, Fleet-street, Joseph Bolton, No. 4, Duke-street, W. Coleman, Tottenham, wark, Thomas Edmonds, Stoke Newington, AT Page 95 of your Magazine for J. Johnson, No. 28, Laystall-street, last month, is an inquiry respecting the property of the powers of binomial factors. This property is well known, and is noticed by almost every writer on Algebra. Its principal use is its being the foundation of the binomial theorem, and its furnishing a ready method of finding the co-efficient of The Committee of Charitable Uses was Orst established in 1698, by mutual agreement, between the Mayor and other governing members of this city on one part, and the freemen on the other; it is composed of two Aldermen, two Common Councilmen, and five freemen; all which are chosen annually by the jury of the court Jeet, held on the day of swearing the Mayor. Gray's inn-lane, J. Kirton, No. &, Manor-place, Walworth, Thomas Marreck, 13, Bell-lane, Spitalfields, John Powell, Layton, Essex, S. Sheridan, Walthamstow, |