SUPPLEMENT FOR THE YEAR 1809. Embellished with a Portrait of Sir THOMAS CONYERS, Bart; and with Views of HORDEN HALL, Durham; and WHITTINGTON CHURCH, Derbyshire. * After the pathetic and disinterested Appeal to the Publick in our last, p. 1110; we have much pleasure in being enabled to present to our Readers a Portrait of Sir THOMAS CONYERS, and a View of HORDEN HALL, the antient Residence of the Family. (See p. 1209.) AVING been resident in the deemed them fit to be imprinted with. Far be it from my wish to be judged illiberal by my Readers; but let me H Country upon a visit for the ask, why should these men, concerne last two months, where I had the misfortune to pass my time without being regaled with a luxury, which on my return to town I immediately indulged myself in, by the purchase of your September Magazine; and having proceeded in it as far as p. 822; how shall I signify my astonishment, when I beheld a class of men set up as fit objects of the public praise, as vicious horses, which may only possess external appearance, are set up at auctions, to be disposed of to him who should be suited for the deception. An auctioneer (happy for him) has not often to give many an anxious eye on his sagacious by-standers, ere one among them, probably more indebted to Plutus than Minerva, has the good fortune to find himself the happy purchaser; and, having paid perhaps three times the worth of the animal, stalks off with his external beauty, not unlike your young Vindex, who is fallen so deeply in love with these Sons of Galen, as to hold them only up for the public veneration and esteem, and omit others who may be equally deserving candidates for so distinguished an exaltation. How deficient must that person be in the maxims of prudence and good policy, who, at the hazard of his own quiet, ventures to controvert received and undoubted facts to such an extent, as to endeavour (like cleaning the Augean Stable, impracticable but by Herculean labour) to extricate this class of men from the slur which the public opinion (which should always direct our judgment, and be had in due reverence) has GENT. MAG. Supplement, 1809. A ing whom so many doubts have arisen as to their learning, and consequently their respectability, be the sole ob jects of public gratitude, veneration, and esteem? And for what reason should these men, I say, for whom Vindex entertains so high a respect, be the only candidates for the public regard, to the defiance and exclusion of all other trades and employments? I cannot but applaud your worthy Correspondent (if he is truly disinterested in the cause he so warmly espouses, and not one of that fraternity himself) for that spirit of benevolence by which he appears actuated; and had he happily evinced it on objects of sufficient merit, he might with justice have demanded the public praise; but I am grieved that in this case its misapplication is so grossly evident. It is impossible for me, without manifesting a strong disregard to truth, to affirm, that it has been the custom to vilify this class of men; and I inust as largely disagree in sentiments with your Correspondent, that persons of this order (granting exceptions) are both intelligent and liberal, and to whom Society, on account of their exertions, are considerably indebted. The scanty pittance allotted to the Country Apothecary, for his attendance on Parish Workhouses, is an acknowledgment generally undoubted; but is it not requited by his other employers, who must be more numerous, in comparison with the practitioners in London, in conse quence of the paucity of that class in the Country? Respecting the ready adoption adoption of the Small Pox, which the Apothecaries facilitated, and the Vaccination which they promoted, these two circumstances have certainly imputed to them a zeal for the public advantage, which intimates a disinterestedness rarely to be met with among that class, and therefore highly laudable. It is no less foreign to my wish than to my intention, to dive into the minutia of the Apothecary's employments; but really Vindex seems to hesitate who is to be the acting person in the unthankful offices (as he terms them), viz. Bleeding, Cupping, &c. Is the Apothecary, often, as the mushroom, sprung from you can scarcely tell what-is he, I say, so suddenly magnified, that it becomes an even question, whether he or the Physician is to be the performer of these offices? Vindex's delineation of the Apothecary's education is as in correct as most of his other previous observations, and needs only the slightest notice to procure its refutation. The pressure of the times is an allusion very ill suited to this extensive branch of people, who have, even in their draughts, potions, &c. (not allowing for their Surgical operations, which they all now imagine themselves qualified to undertake) raised the prices above a third since the last 30 years, which is an enormous increase of profits, unequalled (in comparison) by men of the first profession, and of the soundest intellect. But can even this in any degree excite our amazement, when the present state of the times is considered? Now an Apothecary will tell you, that it is impossible for him to exist without a carriage; in short, that he would be but a mere cypher; and yet at the same time this class of persons forget how their forefathers managed without an article now so necessary; indeed they would as soon have cherished the idea of parting with one of their patients, as have kept any kind of vehicle. But that is the difference of the times, and the publick must now pay for so expensive an absurdity. In regard to the Bills, ingratitude is stated to be the return for their attention and time. How this elucidation can in any way be satisfactory or reasonable to the understanding of the Publick, I am at a loss to imagine: the time of an Apothecary is greatly misunderstood; it is, correctly speaking sold to his patients, and of which their Bills, often to their sorrow, afford ocular proof. The employments of an Apothecary are chiefly these ;visiting his patients, marking down the medicines requisite for them respectively, then returning home with his directions to his solitary apprentice. The nature of the subject is such, that I should not think myself justified in spending any further time in answering Vindex more minutely; and have therefore deemed it proper to make some observations, in refuting the most prominent parts, which were only calculated to mislead the ignorant, perplex the publick in general, and even astonish the Apothecaries themselves. Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, ANTI-VINDex. Dec. 7. dated Pegwell, Oct. 1, addressed OBSERVED, in p. 919, a letter, to THE PROJECTOR, upon the subject of a Windmill, which had been the cause of considerable uneasiness to the Writer. By the date of the letter, and by my knowledge of the country, I am induced to believe that the Windmill alluded to is situated between Ramsgate and the village of Pegwell. I am not disposed to designate the Author of that letter by any appellation which might tend to a comparison of his zeal with that of La Mancha's Knight; but will freely allow him to be, if he pleases, like that Hero, "Non ignarus mali." The PROJECTOR'S Correspondent (though his antipathy is very justifiable) through the course of his letter has founded his statement on an erroneous assumption, viz. that the Mill mentioned 'is too near a high road*. The truth is, Mr. Urban, that the road alluded to is not a legitimate high road; for it is in the recollection of many persons (in mine too) that the supposed high road was a mere cart-way through the fields of the neighbouring fariners for their sole convenience; and it is at this moment by the sufferance of the proprietors of the land that the public pass over it; nor has this sufferance been of sufficiently long continuance to confer any legal public right. The Mill complained of was erected long before the publick ever dreamed of going upon this land either in carriage * We could point out MANY others that are much too close to High Roads. EDIT. or or on horse-back for there was no passable track. The case is then this; that the Windmill stands in a field not contiguous to any high road whatever; and that, even admitting the ground mentioned to be a high road, the Mill was erected before the road was made: that, therefore, no blame can attach to the proprietor of the Mill. I have no doubt that “Non ignarus mali” is almost as much alarmed at "the tremendous sails of a Windmill in motion," and "their dreadful rushing sound," as the four-inhanders and high-mettled racers, and the jog-trotting horse of the sober citizen," can be; and I must confess that I sympathize in the uneasiness which he expresses; but at the same time hope that when he shall have seen this short memoir of the dreaded Mill, he will endure his grievance with complacency. With every proper feeling for the sensibility of" Non ignarus mali ;" I am, Mr. Urban, Yours, &c. "MISERIS SUCCURRERE DISCO. Mr. URBAN, London, Dec. 21. TH HE Gentleman's Magazine of October last was put into my hands by a friend, pointing out the Femarks of L. W. (p. 913) upon Moss's Poems. The writer is perfectly correct as to their being printed by my Father, and equally so, I doubt not, upon his having repeatedly seen them in my stock in the year 1779. I cannot, however, but admire his extreme modesty in drawing a conclusion, after saying that I may probably be able to elucidate the point in question, that "a similar literary imposition was practised about 60 years ago;" as though the one was, in his own mind, as fully confirmed as the other. He may probably think SO - and I am not led to state my knowledge of the matter merely for his gratification. For reasons not worth mentioning, I never had any partiality towards Mr. Moss; but the principles of justice due, as I conceive, to the memory of a deceased party, impel me to give the facts I am in possession of; and I submissively leave the result to the public tribunal. The thick 4to pamphlet (as Mr. L. W. styles it) was printed at Wolverhampton by my Father, George Smart, in the year 1769, under the title of "Poems on various Occasions," but without the author's name; having, as publishers in London, the respectable names of Mr.. T. Longman, Paternoster - row, and Mr. R. Dodsley, Pall Mall. The latter gentleman thought so well of the Poem, called The Beggar, as to introduce it into the poetical department of the Annual Register, published shortly after; and from thence it was copied into most of the periodical publications of that time: if I am not very much mistaken, into your own, Sir, though I cannot posi tively assert it. Mr. Dodsley's extensive knowledge of poetical composition will not be doubted; and his paying such honour to this piece is, in my opinion, a convincing proof of its originality. It was afterwards introduced in Enfield's Speaker, as anonymous; but in later editions with the name of Moss; and few, if any, poetical selections from the period of its publication by my Father have been without it. That it ever appeared in print before, I believe, is not in the power of any one to prove. These circumstances alone are, I conceive, sufficient to entitle the late Rev. Thomas Moss to whatever praise the Poem of The Beggar merits; nor can I think its superiority to the others that accompanied it any real ground for suggesting the contrary. I believe it is generally acknowledged that Fielding never equalled his Tom Jones, nor Smollet his Roderick Random. I have a perfect recollection of Mr. Moss calling upon my Father with the copy of his Poems; and can aver that they were all of the same handwriting; and that, with respect to The Beggar, a small alteration then took place. The last line of the first verse was written, "And Heaven shall bless your store." After a short 'conversation between them, shall was changed to will. I shall transcribe the Poem imme diately following The Beggar, which you will oblige me by inserting, if you judge proper. I think many will be convinced that the writer of the one might be capable of the other. Yours, &c. JOSEPH SMART. It is inserted in vol. LXI. p. 820. Edit. TO A FEMALE FRIEND, OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF HER FAther. from your Obituary, that there had ever been such a man in existence. I Peace to my Delia--in whose gentle breast remain, with the greatest respect, No troublous storms were ever wont to rise, Oh! may thy trickling sorrow be represt, Submissive to the mandate of the Skies. Grief is a thorn that rankles in the heart, Despoils the cheek of Nature's gen'rous bloom, Robs the eye's radiance of its pointed dart, And marks us immaturely for the tomb. Thine was a Father-who can say how dear? Studious for ever of his Children's weal; Pay then, O Sympathy! the piteous tear, Too well I know the agonies they feel, Should I now see thee in thy lone retreat, Steep'd in sad grief-ah! grief that once was mine; Each tender fibre of my heart would beat In melancholy unison with thine. But let us check the tide of fruitless woe, And still the outrage of the bosom's pain; [flow, Nature will force some filial drops to But Reason says 'Tis impious to complain. Few men can boast of such a long reprieve; How many wither in their morning prime! He toil'd the day, and in the tedious eve Was wafted gently to a happier clime. Though the world frown-let not my Delia fear; [low; Thine must be bliss-if aught is bliss beShe, who to Virtue lends a list'ning ear, May smile in peace upon the deadliest foe. Yes, sure, my Delia must be doubly blest, To whom each darling attribute is giv'n; Soft Pity is the inmate of her breast, And Pity is the favourite of Heav'n. When Fancy's eye hath found thee out a mate, [send; Such be the man whom Providence shall One who will soothe thee in the lowest state, [Friend. The tender Father, and the faithful your old friend and customer, who has your whole work. JOHN TAGG, Late of Wood Street, but now of S1, Lower Whitecross-street. Mr. URBAN, London, Oct. 3. IVE me leave to ask your Cor GI respondent, p, 817, one question concerning Hedge-hogs sucking Cows. Does the little animal bite a hole in the udder of the Cow, and suck the milk out that way? For I am sure the Hedge-hog is totally incapable of sucking it through the mammæ, of which any of your Correspondents may satisfy themselves by examining the mouth of the animal. I do not pretend to deny that Hedgehogs have been found lying under Cows; but may they not have got there for the sake of the warmth ? R. Mr. URBAN, stated that the founder of the Malmesbury family was the celebrated James Harris, author of Hermes, &c. I enclose a monumental inscription in Salisbury Cathedral, which would have enabled Mr. P. to trace the family to the grandfather of the author at least. On the West side of the grand cross in Salisbury Cathedral, towards the North porch, on a large statuary marble slab, crowned with a pedi ment, is the following inscription: "In thisCathedral areinterred the remains of James Harris, of this Close, esq. son of Thomas Harris, of Orcheston St. George in this county, who died in 1679, aged 74 years. He married Gertrude daughter of Robert Tonson, bishop of that diocese, who died 1678, aged 86 years. Of Joan, daughter of Sir Wadham Wyndham, of Wyndham Orchard, in the County of Somerset, and wife of the above Thomas Harris. She died 1734, aged. 84 years. the above-mentioned Thomas Harris, and Of James Harris, of this Close, son of Joan his wife. He died in 1731, aged 57 years. Of the Right Hon. Lady Elizabeth Harris, third daughter of Anthony second Earl of Shaftesbury, and wife of the above James Harris. She died in 1743, aged 62 years." Yours, &c. BIOGRAPHICUS. Mr. |