thy of his goodness, shall employ that health and leisure which Providence may bereafter afford me, in opposing infidelity, heresy, and error, and in promoting sound literature and christian truth to the utmost of my power.

THE BISHOP OF CHESTER (DR. PORTEUS) TO DR. BEATTIE. HUNTON, November 28th, 1777. DURING Our stay here, Dr. Robertson's "History of America" He is, without dispute, has been part of our evening's amusement. a very judicious compiler, and very elegant writer, and seems to have taken great pains in this work to collect all the information that could possibly be obtained from books and manuscripts, of which he has consulted a considerable number. Of these, some of the most curious were communicated to him by my friend Lord Grantham, ambassador at Madrid, and his chaplain, Mr. Waddilove. But still the grand source of original information was not opened to him; I mean the letters and papers written to the Spanish court by the first conquerors of America, and all the authentic documents relative to that transaction, which were collected by Philip the second, and deposited amongst the archives of the Spanish monarchy, at a place called Simanca, near Valladolid, above a hundred miles from Madrid. To these he could obtain no access; and till these are produced to the world, I shall never suppose that we have any history of South America, that can be absolutely relied upon. As far, however, as Dr. Robertson's materials go, he has set them off to the best advantage, and has enlightened them by many ingenious and useful observations on the natural and moral history of the aborigines of that country. He has, however, I think, missed some opportunities, which this part of his work threw in his way, of drawing a comparison between the state of the savage and of the christian world. He attributes the difference between them solely to the improvements of civil society. I am of opinion, that the gospel has had a large share in this happy change; and it would have been of infinite service to religion, to have had all its beneficial consequences set forth by so fine a pen as Dr. Robertson's. Such incidental arguments, in favor of religion, interspersed occasionally in works of acknowledged merit and reputation, are perhaps of The enemies of more general use than professed defences of it.

christianity have long taken this method of undermining it; and its friends therefore should not be backward in taking the same means to recommend it. Mr. Gibbon and the Abbé Raynal have more especially distinguished themselves by this species of hostility; for which reason I am sorry that Dr. Robertson has paid them both such high compliments as he has done.

I hear of nothing new and important in the literary world, that is likely to make its appearance this winter, except a new translation of Isaiah, by bishop Lowth of which the public has raised its expect. ations very high, from the known abilities and learning of the au thor. This, I believe, is in very great forwardness. There is also and edition of "Strabo," by Mr. Falkner, a gentleman of Chester, every way equal to the undertaking, which is pretty far advanced,

Archbishop Markham shewed me the other day, a collation for him, of a manuscript in the Escurial, made under the direction of Canonico Bayer, and procured by the assistance of Lord Grantham.

POETRY.

[Original in the Connecticut Herald Yes, may I never pass this sacred spot

Though five times sol his annual course has run,

Since death confin'd thy mortal body here,

Yet cannot thy poor sorrowing, orphan

thee,

A final parting, ne'er to meet again, Till from the world and its corruptions free ;

I feel the Son in all my moving soul, The "JOY OF GRIEF" these starting tears reveal,

The sacred drops shall meet with no control,

Affection's tear what Son would e'er conceal.

Then was the Mother all alive in thee; What wholesome counsel from thy lips I drew!

Which in my breast shall ever treasur. ed be,

The only legacy I had from you.

Since then, dear parent, Joy has seldom smil'd

Upon thy son, severe has been his fate, The world was new-an inexperienc'd child

Its friendship sought,but only gain'd its hate!

He hop'd from FORTUNE but a cheering smile,

But like the world she frown'd upon

his claim;

He then pursued a fleeting shade a-
while-

But broke a bubble when he grasp'd
at FAME!

His only respite now from mental pain,
Is o'er his native rural scenes to

roam,

A view of this sequestered spot to gain,

Or when away to think of thee and home.

[Conclusion in our next.]

AN EVENING REFLECTION. [By the late Mrs. ELIZABETH CARTER.]

WHILE night in solemn shade invests the pole,

And calm Reflection soothes the pensive soul;

While Reason undisturb❜d asserts her
sway,

And life's deceitful colors fade away:
To thee, all-conscious presence! I de-

vote

This peaceful interval of sober thought.
Here all my better faculties confine,
And be this hour of sacred silence

thine.

If by the day's illusive scenes misled, My erring soul from virtue's path has stray'd,

Snar'd by example or by passion warm'd,

Some false delight my giddy sense has

charm'd;

My calmer thoughts the wretched
choice reprove,
And my best hopes are cent'red in
thy love.

Depriv'd of this, can life one joy af-
ford?

Its utmost boast a vain unmeaning word.

But, ah! how oft my lawless passions rove,

And break those awful precepts I ap-
prove!

Pursue the fatal impulse I abhor,
And violate the virtue I adore!
Oft when thy better spirit's guardian

Be only lifeless sounds and speciou
names?

Oh! rather while thy hopes and fears
contról,

In this still hour, each motion of my soul,

Secure its safety by a sudden doom, And be the soft retreat of sleep my tomb.

Calm let me slumber in that dark repose,

'Till the last morn its orient beam dis close ;

Then when the great Archangel's potent sound

Shall echo through Creation's ample round,

Wak'd from the sleep of death, with joy survey

The op'ning splendors of eternal day.

Obituary.

DIED at Stamford, the 14th inst. of a long illness, Mrs. SARAH MUNDAY, relict of Capt. Nathaniel Munday, in the 57th year of her age. She was a woman whom the God of Nature had endowed with a firm constitution, and strong mental powers. Early in life she had been inducted into Christianity, and well indoctrinated in the principles of the same; was ever ready to lend a hand in support of God's church, and Christ's ministers; fully convinced that the plan of man's redemption came from God, and not from man, and that it is our duty to comply with all Christian ordinances in order to meet with the approbation of Him, who came to seek, and save that which was lost. With a deep sense of the depravity of human nature, and the means provided for its restoration, she patiently endured whatever God saw fit to lay upon her; with a well-grounded hope, as a strong anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, willingly met the summons of death, yielded up the ghost, and was gathered to her fathers.

In the death of Mrs. Munday, the Episcopal parish in Stamford have met with a heavy loss; and the surviving relatives a dear and constant Friend.

At Newtown, (Conn.) with a consumption, Mr. ISAAC CHAUNCY, Æ. 53. He had received à liberal education, but it appears never improved it: died a Pauper, without a relative to shed the tributary tear. A few weeks previous to his dissolution, a clergyman called upon him, and asked him several questions respecting his parentage, manner of life, and future prospects; to which he made the following reply:-I was born in Amherst, (Mass.) of respectable parents, who loved me tenderly-gave me a public education-I left them-have not seen any of them for a number of years; but have wandered from place to place, a poor intemperate man; I must now die.—If the doctrines are true which were taught me, and which I have believed, viz. that God for his own glory, hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass, then I have answered the end for which I was made-I could never have altered my conduct. But if the doctrines of repentance, faith and obedience, be necessary qualifications for future happiness, it is too late for me-I rely on the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. These two last sentences he spoke very affec tionately. He appeared to possess an amiable disposition-was seldom angry, even in intoxication-would often say, "I am my own worst enemy"

By the authority of the town, a clergyman and a number of the inhabitants gave him a decent burial.

These remarks are made for the information and satisfaction of his relations

Memoirs of the Right Reverend Samuel Horsley, LL. D.

F. R. and A. SS. late Lord Bishop of St. Asaph.

[Continued from page 286.]

HAVING mentioned the doctor's resignation of his place as Secretary of the Royal Society, we are naturally led to narrate the particulars of his secession from that illustrious institution. When Sir Joseph Banks succeeded Sir John Pringle, as President of the Royal Society, a more than commendable degree of partiality was said to have been manifested towards those members who were distinguished by the appellation of virtuosi. Their pursuits and discussions also engrossed more attention, and obtained more honorable marks of distinction than the productions of more learned and scientific men. Improper measures were likewise taken to prevent the election of some respectable candidates, whose qualifications consisted principally in their profound acquaintance with mathematical learning. These circumstances gave great offence to many of the ablest and most active members, but it was not till a direct attack was made upon the scientific body in the person of one of its most eminent members, that the smothered resentment broke out into open hostility and rupture.

The office of the Society's corresponding secretary, an employment of great honor, much trouble, and little profit, the annual salary being no more than 201. had been held, and the duties of it ably and punctually discharged for some years, by Dr. Charles Hutton, Professor of Mathematics in the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. On the 20th of Nov. 1783, the President summoned his council for the purpose of depriving Dr. Hutton of his office. This purpose was effected by a resolution of the council, which was said to be a method of letting down the Doctor easy; namely, that it was expedient for the foreign secretary to reside constantly in London. In this resolution the council unanimously concurred; with the exception of Dr. Maskelyne, the astronomer royal, and Mr. Maty, one of the principal secretaries, who very properly desired that Dr. Hutton might be heard before he was dismissed.

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