Review of New Publications. 8. A Familiar Explanation of the Law of Wills and Codicils, and the Law of Executors and Adminiftrators, and the Rules by which Real and Perfonal Efiates defcend and are diftributed in Cafe no Wil is made; with InAructions to every Perfon to make his own Will, and Forms for ibit Purpose, and the Expence of Probates and Letters of Adminiftration, Written, as much as possible, without the Use of Law Words or Terms. By T. E. Tomlins, of The Inner Temple, Barrifier. The Third Edition. IN our Magazine for September, 1785, we reviewed the firft edition of this work, which, through the modefty of the Author, then appeared without a name. We are glad that his fuccefs has emboldened him to declare himself, and to find that Mr. Tomlins, who is a barrister, and therefore may be reckoned among the expounders of the law, has taken up the pen to elucidate a fub ject of fo much importance to every perfon poffeffed of property. Some remarks have been made on this little work in the preface of a publication reviewed in our Magazine for February last. In the preface to the prefent edition of Mr. Tomlins's work thefe affertions are answered, we think, compleatly, and the tables turned upon the accufer, who (Mr. T. afferts) is equally ignorant of common law, common fenfe, and common grammar. We before declined entering into the merits of the difpute, which indeed Mr. T. in his preface feems to think of little importance. We cannot help remarking, that Mr. Tomlins's work feems, from the clear nefs of the style and method, peculiarly adapted to the perufal of perfons entire ly unacquainted with law; while his opponent feems defirous of being equally ufeful to profeffional men; a merit which he is not likely to attain without more accuracy than Mr. T. is willing to allow him. 49. The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. By Sir John Hawkins, Knt. 8vo. (Continued from p. 254.) IN confirmation of the opinion we threw out in our laft, we have exhibited, in the early pages of the prefent month (fee p. 287 and p. 312), a few fpecimens of curious anecdote;" and hall now adduce fome "liberal opi"nions," craving leave occafionally to introduce an opinion of our own. Speaking of Johnfon's early reverence for the Church, Sir John Hawkins fays, GENT. MAG. April, 1737. 845 "Having not then feen, as we now do, ecclefiaftical benefices advertised for fale, and confidered by the purchasers as lay-fees, nor beheld many of the beneficed clergy abandoning the duties of the clerical function to the lowest of their order, themselves becoming gentlemen at large, mixing in all public recreations and amusements, neglecting their studies for cards, preaching the fermons of others, and affecting, in many particulars of their drefs, the garb of the laity, in difabedience to the canon which enjoins decency of apparel to minifters I fay, not having been a witness to these late refinements in manners, he, notwithstanding the ferocity of his temper, reverenced the clergy as a body of men who have been the greateft improvers of learning, and to whom lamented that the race was nearly extinct." mankind have the highest obligations, but The paffage "recollected by Pope," P. 60, was from "Terence," not from "Milton." The account of Johnson's translation of Father Paul is much more accurately LV. p. 6. There never were more than stated in our vol. LIV. p. 891, and vol. SIX theets printed off; and of these the greater part of the impreffion was converted into wafte paper. A few copies were intended to have been referved; but they were fo carefully put by as to be loft in the mafs of Mr. Cave's papers depofited in St. John's Gate. Speaking of the play-houfe in Goodman's Fields, and the coffee-houfes in its neigbourhood, Sir John tells us, "The merchants of London, then a grave, fagacious body of men, found that it was a temptation to idlenefs and to pleasure that their clerks could not refift; they regretted to fee the corruptions of Covent Garden extended, and the feats of industry hold forth allurements to vice and debauchery."... "I once," adds the Knight, "while I was chairman of the Middlefex feffions, tried an indictment for the riot committed in one of thefe coffee-houses, and in the course of the evidence difcovered that it was kept by woman, a stiff Quaker, and was strangely puzzled to reconcile in my mind fuch a folecifm in manners as the profeffion of purity with the practice of lewdness. She appeared in the plain and neat garb of the people of that perfuafion, and was the wife of a feafaring man, who, being abroad, had left her to purfue this lawles occupation. I reproved her for her courfe of life, but could not make her fe:.fible that it was fcandalous."... Johnfon "has frequently declared that the only true and genuine motive to the writin of books was the affurance of pecuniary profit.".... "At "At the Crown Tavern, it was not unufual in a morning to draw a butt of mountain, a hundred and twenty gallons, in gills.".This furely is incredible!! Our LIVth volume would have af forded a far fuperior verfion than Sir John exhibits of the claffical Ode to Urban. On the article of Debates it is faid: With great judgment does Johnfon adopt the unrestrained oratory of the other houfe, and with equal facility imitate the deep-mouthed rancour of Pulteney and the yelping pertinacity of Pitt "". The letter which Johnson addreffed to Lord Chesterfield is in every one's mouth; but we never recollect having feen it in print. His Biographer might have remarked, that the noble Peer repaid his debt, in kind, having written Two good papers in "The World," expreffly in praife of the Dictionary, We know not how the admirers of Addifon will relish the reflections on his ftyle; nor how the fons of Wit and Humour will relish the decided cenfures on Fielding, Simollett, and Sterne; nor even how Francis Barber will put up with the inuendo alluded to in our Index Indicatorius. For our own part, we confels we are much hurt by the illiberal cenfures beftowed on the Author of "Clariffa," and fome wanton afperities on the character of Edward Cave. The latter we have already noticed in p. 287. The remarks on Sir John's literary portrait of Richardion we must defer till next month. 50 The Rotchfords; or, The Friendly Courfellor: Defigned for the Inftruction and Amusement of the Youth of both Sexes. By M. P. In Two Volumes. 800. THE ftory of thefe little volumes is not ill managed. The elder Rochford is what the father of a family ought to be; and the character of Charles is well delineated The whole groupe indeed appear to advantage; and the incident of George's accident in the old family coach is made really interefting; and the epifodes, thrown in by way of fhade, give an agreeable diverfity. The vilit of the Dawfons is here flected, as a part we can readily detach. "Mr. Rotchford was proceeding in his difcourfe, when he was interrupted by the arrival of a gentleman and lady, with their fon and daughter. Mrs. Rotchford, who had been abfent during the foregoing conver fation, entered at the fame time, and general fubjects were talked upon, till Mrs. Rotchford enquired, Why Mifs Dawson was not 3. of their party?' adding, the fhould have been extremely happy in being favoured with her company.-Aye, and I affure you. Madam,' replied Mr. Dawfon, Agnes would have been as happy to have vifited you; but, in truth, I would not let her come out, for Mifs is in her airs to-day, and would not fing when I desired her; and when I formed at her, and downright infifted upon it, then, to fire me, the only fqualled like a peacock; but I will break her of fuch tricks I warrant me; the next time Mifs is asked, the fhall comply at once, or elfe be locked up on the stool of repentance, as the is now. Indeed, my dear,' faid Mrs. Daw fon in a tremulous voice, fhe was not fo much to blame as you thought; fhe is re ally unwell, and has had an extreme bad cold for thefe two or three days: fhe was, I affure you, very hoarse, and could not fing any better, or I am fure fhe would willingly have obliged you the first moment you asked her.'---'I am fure of no fuch thing!' replied her husband in a loud tone, whilft his coun tenance looked red with anger; 'I know the is an obftinate little huffy, and only refused on purpofe to vex me, becaufe fhe knows I bare to hear women make fuch foolatum excuses: good fingers always pretend to have colds, and be boarfe, and be this and be that, and be fool I fay, that is what they chufe to be; but my girls fhall not behave fo, however their mother may try to fpoil them, that I promife you, Madam! Here he stopped, and panted as if actually out of breath, through pattion and vexation; and, moving his chair back in a hurry, pushed it against the elbow of his daughter, who was just lifting a tea cup to her mouth, and threw it down her neck and cloaths. The poor girl, who was really very much fcalded as well as ftartled by fo unexpected an accident, called out, O! dear Sir!' and burit into tears; whilft her father, though the fole cause of the misfortune, upbraided her very feverely for her careletinefs and awkward manner of holding her cup, telling her, it fhould be the laf tune the fhould come out vifiting: that another time the should go without tea, or only have a handled cup like a baby, till the could learn to hold it better.' She then retired with her mamma to the next room, to apply fomething to the fcald upon her neck, and to dry and wipe her cloaths. In vain was it, during that time, Mr. Rotchford endeavoured to moderate the anger of his vifitor, by re prefenting that his daughter was entirely innocent; and that it was wholly owing to bis having pushed the chair against her, that the affair happened.' Then the might have moved out of the way of the chair!' faid he, surely fhe could fee me coming, I am big enough to be feen, I fancy! am I not? And your cup, Madam,' turning to Mrs Rotchford, is broke to fhatters. I will be banged if I had not rather have given five guineas than my girl fhould have done fuch mitchief. I will Review of New Publications. I will be banged if I had not-1 fuppofit has broke a fet; and you ladies, I know, value a fet of china more than you do your hufbands; and at any time had much rather their necks fhould be broke than one of your cups or bafons.'-'O'! no indeed, Sir,' re plied Mrs. Rotchford, I fet no fuch inefti mable value upon fo brittle a poffeffion.as a tea-cup; and, if Mifs Patty is not hurt, I beg you will not give yourfelf another moment's uneafiness upon the occafion, though indeed 1 muft fay it was yourself who did it, nor could Mifs Patty poffibly forefee you was fo haftily going to move back your chair.It is falfe, rejoined he, the might have feen if The would; but I ask your pardon, Madam, for fpeaking fo plainly to you; I declare I did not think who I was talking with, I thought it had been my wife; and the girls have fo vexed me to-day, that I abfolutely did not confider what I was faying.' Here he ftopped, and a filence for fome moments enfued. Mr. Rotchford then endeavoured to engage him in various general fubjects; but he was fo thoroughly discomposed by the preceding events, that he only returned fhout anfwers to the questions directly put to him, and continued fullenly filent till his lady and daughter returned, when he tauntingly enquired, how much the young lady's neck was hurt?'- Indeed, my dear,' replied 'Mrs. Dawfon, fhe is fcalded a good deal ;' and the was going on, when he interrupted her, faying I am glad of it with all my foul! I am glad of it; I wish I had scalded her head off, and then fhe would have taken more care another time, and not held her cup to titter-tottering. He was again filent, and his poor wife appeared fo much diftreff ed by his behaviour, that the was but little more inclined for converfation than himfelf: in short, the whole company felt themselves in a very aukward, disagreeable fituation, and were heartily rejoiced when the arrival of their carriage was announced."? 347 the mufic of Handel, or the celeftial thrills of Peter's idol Mara, could gain fuch attention from the courtly circle of a drawing-room.-This by the bye.-Of the poem itfelf, we can only fay it is in the ufual farcaftic flyle of this eccentric bard, containing much fterling wit, but blended with disgusting abufe of the higher powers. The laugh at the Laureat is perfectly innocuous; but who can read the ftory of the Windfor widow, or the Pimlico brickmaker, without a mixture of pity and indignation-If this "ftage-play has a moral," it is, that Madam Mara chaunted, and Mrs. Siddons fpouted, in the royal prefence, and had-their trouble for their pains!-In the conclufion, Peter Pindar thus drolly disclaims all wishes or pretenfion to the laurel : "Old fashion'd, as if tutor'd in the ark, I never figh'd for Glory's high degrees; This very inftant, fhould our Grand Monarque Say, Peter, bemy Laureat if you please ;' No, please your Majefty! fhould be my anfwer, With fweeteft diffidence and modeft grace; The office fuits a more ingenious man, Sir; In God's name, therefore, let him have the place: Unlike the Poets, 'tis my vast affliction 2. Recreation for Youth: Aufeful and enter taining Fitome of Geography and Biography. The Fift Part comprising a general View f the feveral Empires. Kingdoms, Republic, States, remarkable Iflands. Mountains, Sras, River, and Lakes; with their Situation, Extent, Capitals, Population, Produce, Arts, Religion, and Commerce; including the Discoveries of Captain Cook, and arbers Second Part including the Lives of the most eminent Men who bare flourished in Great Britain, and its Dependencies. By John Paterfon Service. The figned as Ornaments for those Apartments in which Children receive the firft Rudiments of their Education. Part I. 55. A Defeription of a Set of Prints of Ancient Hory contained in a Set of eafy Leffons. In Two Parts. Part I. fberteft in its Pole's Axis 174 Miles: And of no small charity to purchase the book. that no Degree of Gravity given by the Q454. A Series of Prints of Ancient Hiftory, dedrant on its Superficies is atta bed to the Carvature found there but are fucb mean Proportionals between the Curvature and the Centre of the Spheroid That each Meridional Degree at the Surfice will form equal Areas to the Common Centre of Grawity, the Earth's Centra Offered to the Confideration of those who are Judges of this important Problem. With a Variety of New Tables, fuited the Subject By Thomas Williams, Inventor. NOT profeffing ourlives to be within the number of thofe "to whofe confi"deration this publication is offered;" we can only recommend this pamphlet by faying, that we believe it will be an act WE announce with pleafure these pretty little volumes, as fuitable compa nions to the Scripture Prints recommend d in our LVth volume. The delineations here given, XXXII in number, are executed in a pleafing ftyle; and the accompanying defcription, though concife, is fatisfactory. Select Poetry, Ancient and Modern, for April, 1787: as they, Has wreck'd my warm hopes by her pride! But away, thou fond dream of my heart! That has lour'd in those infolent eyes. [art, To thy rocks, ftormy Lannow, adieu! Lo! the wings of the fea-fowl are spread, To escape the rough storm by their flight! And these caves will afford them a gloomy BY MISS SEWAR D. ! PURE of fpirit, that haft foar'd a- To thy congenial realms of cloudless day, And teach his foul thy wounding lofs to bear, Then'o'er the darkness gather'd round his So fhall that heart, from hopeless anguish 349 Fringing the foreft's devious edge, Weakly green its budding Sprays. WARTON. T Defcends on the wings of the breeze Advance with the Seafon of Bloom. Pervading all thorough the lands." The ftranger's return let me hail, He fears the fharp tooth of the cold And his pleasures in funshine enfold. The voices of Courtship and Love In concert are heard o'er the plain, Melodious they pour from the grove, And Harmony opens her reign, Enchanting by day and by night, Fair chauntress, the firft of the fhade I listen to thee with delight, Dear bird! to thy fweet ferenade. Thy fong, when the evening obtains, By the fide of the ftreamlet I hear Shall Delia, the pride of our plains, Attend to thy ftrains, and revere ? Her voice might improve thy foft lay, But, penfively pleas'd to attend," She lifts to thy plaints from the spray, Till her tears with thy fymphony blend And now shall this Seafon of Flowers The Cuckow, new vifitant, hail, And mock her unmufical note. As opens or closes the day. Does |