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I am most desirous that some person, whose personal knowledge enables him, would be so kind as give us such information respecting him, as would clear up this difficulty.

Biographical notices of this description are both useful and pleasant; for eminent men, in their lives, often furnish both warnings and examples. Before I dismiss him, I shall also observe, that, in those trials which possessed interest, he very seldom omits the charge of the Judge to the Jury, (a practice little observed by Mr. Gurney) which always affords much instruction and satisfaction to the reader. Indeed, I have very often wished to see a work in English, similar to that of Monsieur D'Alembert's "His. tory of the Members of the French Academy," a publication replete with instruction, amusement, and the soundest criticism. A history of those men who existed by their literary labours, would gratify many readers of your Magazine; and I do not know any more suitable vehicle. I would have it confined to authors of as modern a date as possible. It is not to be expected, that we ought to hope to see a life drawn up as from the philosophical pen of a D'Alembert or a Johnson. This would be unreasonable. I shall take the liberty of mentioning a few names, so that any of your correspondents, whose knowledge enables them, and "honest desire of giving use. ful pleasure" will stimulate them, may afford your readers a treat, by every month filling up a page of your work with a communication so acceptable:-Mr. Strickness; Mr. M. Madan, author of Thelyphthora; Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths, play and novel writers; Dr. Forster and his son, who circumnavigated the world with Captain Cook; Mr. Ireland and son; Monsieur D'Eon, &c. &c.

The above names are but a few of the very numerous list of authors, whose lives and works might form part of a most in structive and amusing record. One part of the design of Mons. D'Alembert, in his book, was to determine the comparative advantages and evils of the profession of literature; and although he has furnished a list (not very numerous) of those authors, whose works and talents have produced both fame and fortune; yet we have a large catalogue indeed of writers of eminence who have died in extreme wretchedness, and been buried at the expense of their friends or the parish. The work which I have just now

ventured to recommend, will tend to re solve this very important inquiry, which so well merits discussion, and opens a field for instructive criticism. M.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

T is enacted by the 5th Elizabeth,

I chapter 4th, that all indentures, co venants, promises, and bargains, of or for the hiring, taking, or keeping, any apprentice otherwise than by indenture for the term of seven years, shall be void, and that any person taking an apprentice contrary to the tenor of the act, shall be subject to a penalty of 101. The statute further enacts, that it shall not be lawful for any person to set up, occupy, use, or exercise, any craft, mystery, or occupation, used or occupied in England or Wales at the time of the passing of the statute, unless he shall have been brought up therein seven years at the least as an apprentice, nor to set any person to work in such mystery, art, or occupation, unless he shall have served an apprenticeship of seven years. The penalty for non-compliance with this latter part of the statute is 40s. a month.

The object of the statute may be collected from the preamble, which states, that, if an uniform order were to be prescribed concerning apprentices, there is hope that the same law, being duly executed, would banish idleness and advance trade. To enable us to judge of the policy of this statute, it is necessary that we should inquire whether it has that tendency which is professed to be its object. It may be laid down as a general principle that all legislative restrictions upon domestic industry are impolitic, and that trade never prospers to so great an extent as when it is left to take its own course. Individuals will always direct their attention to that branch of business which holds out the greatest prospect of profit. They are the best judges upon the subject, and, though their choice will be influenced by self-interest, the interests of individuals are so far identified with the general interest of the community, that one can seldom be promoted without the other. If therefore the statute of Elizabeth cannot be considered as forming an exception to the general rule, it follows, as a necessary consequence, that it is an unjustifiable infringement upon natural liberty, and that it ought not to be encouraged.

The statute appears from its preamble

to

to have a double object, the promotion of industry and the prevention of unskilfulness; with respect to the encourage. ment afforded by the statute to industry, it may be observed that a journeyman is more likely to be industrious than an apprentice, because he derives a more immediate profit from his labour; at all events, long apprenticeships tend to the introduction of idleness. A young man bound for a short term, knowing that be has not any time to lose, and that at the end of his apprenticeship he shall be at liberty to work as a journeyman for his own emolument, may reasonably be expected to apply himself assiduously to learn the trade to which he is bound. A young man, on the contrary, bound for a long term, and having no early prospect of profit before him, may as reasonably be expected to be negligent in his attention to a business of which he is aware that he can obtain a sufficient knowledge in half the time for which he is bound to it: an idle disposition is not easily eradicated, and there cannot be a doubt that long apprenticeships have been the ruin of numbers, who might otherwise have become valuable members of society. The statute of Elizabeth, so far from having a tendency to prevent idleness, is, in fact, a restraint upon industry, by precluding persons who have not been so fortunate as to serve a regular apprenticeship from applying themselves to any business whatever, and by preventing persons, who have served an apprenticeship to one business, from chang ing that business for another which promises to be more profitable.

It is an undisputed fact, that some of the greatest mechanical geniuses of which this kingdom can boast, have not been brought up to the businesses in which they have excelled. Of this we have a striking instance in Mr. Harrison, the inventor of the famous time-pieces which were the subject of pecuniary recompeuce from Parliament. Why then compel a man to follow a business for which he has no inclination, and deprive the country of his services in a line which he is likely to bring to perfection? We should recollect that youths are usually bound to trades selected by their parents, before the turn of the apprentice's mind has had time to develope itself. Is it not, therefore, most unreasonable that, when the apprentice discovers a fixed attachment to some other business, he should not be allowed to avail himself of

that attachment without going through the drudgery of a second apprenticeship? We will now consider how far long apprenticeships tend to prevent unskilful ness, premising, by the bye, that unskilful workmen are rarely prosecuted under the statute of Elizabeth, which is almost invariably directed against persons whose abilities render them obnoxious to their competitors. Arts which in their infancy could not be learnt without great application, are now taught with facility. Times are much altered since the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The improvements which have taken place in mechanism of every description must lessen the labour of an apprentice most materially. Is it probable that a mas ter would employ an unexperienced workman?

Would not a due regard to his own interest prevent him from committing such an act of folly? The choice of workmen may surely be left to the discretion of their employers. The affected anxiety of the legislature to prevent the employment of unskilful workmen is both impertinent and oppres. sive. Their interference to prevent the sale of articles which have been ill manufactured is equally unnecessary. Persons who sell articles of this description will be sufficiently punished by being deprived of the future custom of the purchasers; bad work is more frequently the effect of fraud than ignorance, and against fraud long apprenticeships afford no protection. The statute of Elizabeth tends to increase the price of articles, for which there is an unusual demand, by confining the manufacture of such arti cles to hands who are unable to satisfy the wants of the public.

This statute is also objectionable on account of the encouragement which it affords to combinations. These illegal associations have almost universally for their object the controul of masters in the employment of persons not having served a regular apprenticeship. Were every man at liberty to work at what trade he pleased, wages would soon find their own level, and there would cease to be any inducement to combinations, or at all events the master would have it in his power to counteract the object of them, by employing other persons who might be satisfied with the wages he thought fit to give. Actions, upon the statute of Elizabeth, are, with a few ex ceptions, brought by workmen in sup port of combinations. It is therefore

highly desirable that workmen should be beaten out of this strong hold,

Against the general policy of the statute of Elizabeth, there are many most respectable opinions, Dr. Adam Smith, in particular, calls it, what it has been already styled, an encroachment upon natural liberty, without producing any beneficial result to the community. The patrimony of a poor man, says Dr. Smith, hes in the strength and dexterity of his hands. To hinder him from einploying that strength and dexterity, in what manner he thinks proper, without injury to his neighbours, is, as Dr. Smith contends, a plain violation of his most sacred property.

Lord Mansfield, in a case upon this statute, calls it a Penal Law in Restraint of Natural Right; and adds, that the policy on which the statute was made, has from experience become very doubt ful. Other judges have said, that no encouragement ought to be given to the statute, and that it would be for the common good if it were repealed.

The courts uniformly set their faces against actions upon the statute, and they have even gone so far as to permit a service of seven years to be made out by months, or, if necessary, by weeks. It will also be recollected, that no costs are allowed in actions upon this statute, and that such actions have no retrospect be yond a year. When thoroughly inves. tigated, the statute of Elizabeth does not appear to have a tendency to promote either of the objects professed by its preamble; it does not, in my opinion, form an exception to the general rule; and I conceive, that it is therefore impolitic, and ought to be discountenanced: indeed, I was much surprized to see, from an advertisement a few days ago, that it was in contemplation to apply to Parliament for an extension of the provisions of a statute, in justification of which 90 little can be advanced. Manchester.

MODESTUS.

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is presumable that this gentleman's suggestions, maintained by professional experience and the evidence of facts, will have met with the warm and patriotic concurrence of the enlightened commissioners of the navy. Not doubting, therefore, that the alterations proposed by Mr. Pering will be adopted by them, and thus effectually strengthen the wooden walls of old England, and animated by a sincere regard for the interest of individuals, I beg to recommend Mr. Pering's pamphlet to the perusal of your readers. For, sir, it is a trite and true maxim, that whilst the grass grows the horse starves; whilst the navy is bene. fiting by the discoveries alluded to, merchant vessels may continue to be constructed on an unimproved system, and thus all the advantages of Mr. Pering's invaluable plan be, for a time, lost to the ship owner.

Among other important information, Mr. Pering recommends:

1st. That copper nails be substituted for tree-nails.

2dly. That the bolts of knees and hooks, and the nails, of decks should be copper; by the use of which the whole, particularly the decks, would last as long again.

3dly. That the covering of the sheds under which the ships are built, to be kept dry whilst building, be of copper.

The above-named genti man hopes, ere long, to see the use of copper fas. tenings generally extended to our merchant vessels, as well as to our ships of war; stating his opinion, that no treenail should, on any account, be used, but that the works should be fastened by copper alone, whenever it be practicable-not with iron, the rust of which is certain destruction to all wood, particularly in salt water. Mr. P. answers every objection on the score of expence, in page 27 of his pamphlet.

I may mention, in addition to these remarks, that our anchors, which, by frequently breaking, endanger cargo, ship, and crew, causing besides a heavy loss in themselves, might be rendered in. comparably stronger and safer by substituting copper, or a proper mixture of copper, for iron. The first cost would, I grant, be more; but, if to be weighed in the balance with the lives of British seamen, and much valuable property, let it be remembered that old copper sells for nearly its original price, and that an old iron anchor would command a com. paratively trifling sum. It may, per

haps,

most; and have thought, if good magistrates cannot bring all to their judgment, the dissenters may have liberty, being kept out of office, and want some other public characters. That which a friend of mine and myself writ by letters about magistrates was very little, and the Records of the Tower were only named as giving way to all other records, to cut off dissentions, or marks of tyranny, which no good prince will exercise; I am sorry if any offended, it was zeal for quietness.

and know their use, only ease, expedition, and cheapness, what good man doth not call for. Sedition is the heating men's minds against the present authority, in that I never was, yet sorry authority should have any hard thoughts of me, or know so inconsiderable a creature as myself; I never could be fit for a court, many ways not fit, and am therefore grieved that I was either constrained or content to live where I could do so little good, for I would dye without a secret in my bosom, unless cases of conscience in the way of preaching, which are secret indeed, and for reading them to the world I had appointed a portion, if it had been continued to me.

through Protestant churches for order, to espy the best, and have joyned with the churches of Christ, and took in with that I call a tender Presbytery, for such was ours in New England, and yet so, as I never unchurcht any parish where a godly minister was, and godly people joyned together, though not all so; and do know God may have a people under all forms, and would withdraw to the farthest Indges, rather than give offence to what I cannot close with; yet, so unworthy have my thoughts been of myself. I honour laws and good lawyers heartily, to be a meet preacher of the gospel, that more than twice I had given it over, had not friends prevailed, yea, my profession of the gospel hath been with much folly, weakness, and vanity; I crave pardon of any that have taken offence, though in a christian way I have not had the reproofs of three, either for preaching or conversation. I am heartily sorry I was popular, and known better to others than myself; it hath much lain to my heart above any thing almost, that I left that people I was engaged to in New England; it cuts deeply, I look upon it as a root evil; and, though I was never parson nor vicar, never took ecclesiastical promotion, never preached upon any agree. ment for money in my life, though not without offers, and great ones, yet had a flock, I say I had a flock, to whom I was ordained, who were worthy of my life and Jabours, but 1 could never think myself fit to be their pastor, so unaccomplished for such a work, for which who is sufficient (cryes the apostle)? This is my sore trouble, and a private life would have become me best, and my poor gift have had its vent also; but here I was overpowered to stay. For errors in judgment I have pittyed, never closed with any that know; when I was a tryer of others I went to hear and gain experience, rather than to judge; when I was cailed about mending laws, I rather was there to pray than riend laws; when to judge in wills, I only went sometimes to learn and help the poor than to judge; but in all these I confess I might well have been spared.

Nor do I take pleasure in remembring any my least activity in state-matters, though this I can say, I no-where minded who ruled, fewer or more, so the good ends of government be given out, in which men may live in godliness and honesty. I have often said, that is a good government where men may be as good as they can, not so bad as they would, where good men and things are upper

Upon all this you may ask what design I drove, being looked upon that way? Truly these three:

First, That goodness, that which is really so, and such religion, might be highly advanced.

Secondly, That good learning might have all countenance.

Thirdly, That there may not be a beggar in Israel, in England.

And for all these I have projected or laboured, and I have no other. And these I pray his present Majesty may look to, and that God would bless him every way.

If in the prosecution of these I have used any of my wonted rudeness, or unguided zeal, I am heartily sorry. So, begging pardon from God and man, cob stitution or custom, I conclude in these particulars, though the aim be good.

I conclude the former thus: I think, that, as bad men care not who rule, or what is uppermost, so they may have their lusts; so good men, if they may enjoy God and his truth with good consci ence. For my whole course you know and feel where my wound bath been these twenty years, which bath occasi oned not only my head and heart breaking, bút traveling from mine own nest into business.

Bless

Bless God if ever you meet with suitableness in marriage. For my spirit it wanted weight through many tossings, my head that composure others have, credulous and too careless, but never mischievous nor malicious: I thought my work was to serve others, and so mine own garden not so well cultivated; only this I say, I aimed at a good mark, and trust the Lord in Jesus Christ hath ac

cepted it. My faith in the everlasting covenant was and is, though feeble, yet faith. I could thus continue ripping my whole heart to you, who have very often had great success, even to the last hour of my last preaching, and am preaching the life of faith to myself, to which call in all prayers to the Father in Jesus Christ his dearest Son, to whom let us look, as the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before hin, endured the cross, despised the shame, and now sits at the right hand of Majesty, making intercession for transgressors. Heb. xii. 12.-To whom be glory and praise, and thanks for ever. For he is worthy who bath washed us from our sins by his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God the Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever.

For that part of my Lord Craven's estate which I have took no small place in my trouble. You may know that I was not in the city when that act was made, nor urged my Lord Grey to buy; nor ever advised the said lord (as I had time) but to good and just things and company, against that spirit of levelling then stirring: aud do heartily wish that taken offence might dye, for it was not intended by me, who could and can be as well contented without land as with it, never being ambitious to be great or rich since I knew better things.

31. And now I must return to yourself again, and to give you my thoughts about your own condition. I do first commend you to the Lord, and then to the care of a faithful friend, whom I shall name unto you, if a friend may be found in this juncture that dare own your name, (though there be more of your name); and if such a friend advise it, that you serve in some godly family, to which you seem to incline, and must (it seems); but truly, if not a good family, what will your condition be? Dwell where God dwells, and be in such company as you must be with in Heaven, and then you do but change your place not your company;

though it be unexpected and uncouth, yet remember the best of men have been servants; Moses kept his father's sheep; so Jacob, and the patriarchs; David to Saul, and many more; I have before given thee rules for it; and be sure to be steady to family and private duties, your life will be dead without them: call your condition God's Ordinance, and he can bless it to you. But, if you would go home to New England (which you have much reason to do), go with good company, and trust God there: the church are a tender company: a little will carry us through the world, yea very little: Oh, godliness with content! your faithfulness to me and your mother will find acceptance in heaven I trust. My dear child, tell me how couldst thou be without God's rod? remember he hath a staff also. For your mother (considering her distemper) I have and shall say more unto you. To His grace, who is able to do above all we can ask or think, I commend you both.

And, if I go shortly where time shall be no more, where cock nor clock distin guish hours, sink not, but lay thy head in his bosom who can keep thee, for he sits upon the waves. Farewel.

35. And, since we must part, must part, take my wishes, sighs, and groans, to follow thee, and pity the feebleness of what I have sent, being writ under much, yea very much, discomposure of spirit.

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