History and Antiquities of the Town, Castle, and College of Fotheringay, in the County of Northampton *."' *." 4to. "A Sylloge of the remaining authentic Inscriptions relative to the Erection of our English Churches, embellished with a Number of Copper Plates, exhibiting Fac-Similes of some of the most material. By the Rev. Samuel Pegge, M. A. [with a small Appendix, by the Rev. John Pridden, M.A."] Derwent, an Ode," by John Carr§, LL.D." 4to. "The Analogy between the Light of Inspiration, and the Light of Learning, as Qualifications for the Ministry-Preached in the Cathedral Church of Gloucester, at a public Ordination of Priests and * "The Editor of these very useful Collectanea presents us, in the Fortieth Number, with the history of a place made interesting to the English Antiquary by a variety of events, but by none so much as by having been the last scene of the life of the unforfunate Queen of Scots, whom having attended to the block, he could not dispense with following to the grave.' Her execution and funeral are largely discussed in the Appendix, from new and hitherto unpublished materials." Gent. Mag. vol. LVII. p. 165. "This Forty-first Number of the Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica is an excellent proof of the unimpaired and vigorous talents of the worthy and respectable Antiquary its Author, who enjoys the vivida viridisque senectus in his retirement at Whittington; and that he may complete a century in the like enjoyment, is the sincere and hearty wish of all who know him.-The collection of 75 inscriptions, of which 40 are given in fac simile, though confined to Religious Structures, is a valuable accession to English Paleography. Mr. Astle, like Pere Montfaucon, has undertaken that part of it which relates to Manuscripts and Books. It was reserved for Mr. Pegge to collect specimens of it from Buildings and their Appendages, which he carries from before the Conquest down to Henry VIII.; and Mr. Pridden conti nues it to the present century and year. The epitaphial part belongs to the department of Sepulchral Monuments." Mr. Gough, in Gent. Mag. LVII. 701.-This latter department was excellently supplied by Mr. Gough himself, in his " Sepulchral Monuments." "There is somewhat of true simplicity in these fond remembrances of past scenes on the banks of the River Derwent, which conclude with a panegyric on Mr. Madison, a son of its banks,' Secretary to the Embassy at Paris, as before to Sir Joseph Yorke at the Hague. He died at Paris in 1783." Ibid. p. 992. The worthy Schoolmaster noticed in vol. VIII. p. 305. Deacons, September 9, 1787. By the Rev. Samuel Horsley, LL. D. F. R. S. Archdeacon of St. Alban's." "A Poem to the Memory of Handel *." "A brief Account, Historical and Critical, of the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament. To which is added, a Dissertation on the Comparative Excellency of the Hebrew and Samaritan Pentateuch. By the Rev. Dr. Henry Owen, F. R. S." "Characters of the Kings and Queens of England†, selected from different Histories; with Observations and Reflections, chiefly adapted to Common Life; and particularly intended for the Instruction of Youth. To which are added, Notes Historical, by John Holt," 12mo. * By Edward Jones, Esq. the celebrated Author of " Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards;" see vol. VIII. p. 126. "The method adopted by Mr. Holt is, to give regularly, 1. the various Characters of each Monarch; 2. his own Observations on them; and, 3. Historical Remarks, including the prices of sundry articles of Commerce, &c. with specimens of the various changes in the English language.-Hume and Smollett are the Historians to whom he is principally indebted for the Royal Characters; and Anderson's Historical and Chronological Deductions' have furnished some quotations for his Remarks. Of the latter, however, many are original, and do honour to the Author's sensibility." Gent. Mag. vol. LVII. p. 999. Mr. Holt, who came, at an early age, from the neighbourhood of Mottram Longendale in Lancashire, to the delightful village of Walton, about three miles from Liverpool, set forward in life with a very moderate education, but a laudable thirst after knowledge. He studied and read a good deal,as much, in short, as his other avocations would permit; and aimed to make himself an useful member of society. He was educated with a view to his becoming a Dissenting Minister; but never thought proper to take that office upon him; but becoming a member of the Church of England, commenced School-master and Parish-clerk. The latter post he gave up a short time after; previous to which, he married a good and worthy woman, when they commenced a boarding-school for young ladies; and, with much credit to themselves, and benefit to the publick, brought up many females, who bear ample testimony to the attention that was paid to health and morals, as well as the really useful parts of learning. In 1787, and the following year, he published his three useful volumes of "Characters of the Kings and Queens of England." That he was "Notices and Descriptions of Antiquities of the Provincia Romana of Gaul, now Provence, Lan was a very singular and minute observer of Nature; and that the bent of his studies was latterly directed to those of Agriculture; is apparent from his valuable Remarks in a long Tour taken in the Summer of 1793, and his appropriate description of Mr. Bakewell's l'arm at Dishley in Leicestershiret. He wrote also “An Essay on the Curle in Potatoes," for which he received a Medal from the Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce; and was appointed surveyor of the County of Lancaster by the Board established for the promotion of that most useful of the sciences; of which large district he returned so minute a Report, and in so short a space of time, as entitled him to the particular notice of that Board. Mr. Holt's Report, from the valuable matter it contained, and its judicious arrangement, was the first that was republished; and he had various premiums and testimonies of approbation adjudged and sent to him. He compiled a few books for the use of Schools; wrote a Novel or two; and had been for some time collecting materials for a "History of Liverpool ‡;" but died at Walton, where he had been resident upwards of 40 years, March 21, 1801, of a bilious complaint, at the age of about 59. His Meteorological Tables and Remarks reflected very high -credit on the Gentleman's Magazine for several years; whilst other parts of it were enriched from time to time with his remarks under different signatures. The Meteorological Diary for the month in which he died was nearly half drawn up by himself. An account, by him, of Mr. Lawrence Earnshaw, is in vol. LVII. 1185. He was a kind relative, and a sincere and affectionate friend; correct and just in his religious and moral duties. As a Writer, he drew scenes of fiction with considerable boldness, displaying a native genius and more knowledge of human life and manners than is generally acquired in provincial situations. This can only be accounted for from his extreme avidity for information, which often kept him a silent and scrutinizing observer. He amused himself with writing remarks upon our English History, and particularly upon the personal characters of our Monarchs; in which he displayed an acuteness of discrimination, and drew forth so many just observations, and deduced so much moral instruction, as to induce an opinion that, had he employed more of his time in the same way, he would have gained considerable reputation as an historical writer. But the temptations of a more brilliant famo could not long keep down a strong natural propensity he had to be useful rather than entertaining; and his greatest pleasure was * Gent. Mag. vol. LVII. p. 999; vol. LVIII. p. 332; vol. LIX. p. 437. + Gent. Mag. vol. LXIII. pp. 619, 720.792. His MSS. and materials for the History of Liverpool' were be queathed to his friend Mr. Matthew Gregson, of that town; with a request that, if they were sold, ten pounds or guineas of the money arising from the sale might be given to the Liverpool Infirmary.” |
