MINOR CORRESPONDENCE. Our Correspondent C. has written overhastily. On a second perusal of Mr. Macaulay's History of England he will find that his objections to the account of the death of Charles II. and to the general character of Mr. Macaulay's authorities, are quite unfounded. He evidently feels very indignant at Mr. Macaulay's opposition to his favourite opinions. ""Tis within the heart Th' ambushment lies, that evermore betrays 'The judgment." Cyphers, the favourite devices of a century back, and used as well by those who had right to armorial bearings as by those more modest persons who did not as yet venture to assume them, were certainly often somewhat puzzling in their design, though after a steadfast gaze the initials intended might generally be traced out. The cypher of the eminent bookseller, Robert Dodsley, who originated the Annual Register, is still printed in its titlepage; but for many years, certainly from 1841 downwards, it has been printed upside down! The following remarkable epitaph has been handed to us as a discovery; for, though only forty years old, it had been concealed and the date quite obliterated. In St. John's Burial Ground, Westminster: "Here are deposited the earthly remains of DONALD GRANT, D.D. The whole of his ecclesiastical emoluments, during a ministry of 44 years in the Established Church of England, amounted to £743 8s. 5d.! Not from that source then, but by the employment of those talents which God had bestowed, was he enabled, (though unpatronised and unprotected,) with no original patrimony, to preserve through life the independence of a man, and the respectability of a clergyman-to supply the decencies of a comfortable mediocrity -to spare, while living, something to the wants of genius, industry, and worth; and at his death to leave a testimony that he had not "lived for himself alone," by a benefaction for the education of two young men in his parent university. "He died the 24th day of April, 1809, in the 72nd year of his age." The parish register has supplied the obliterated date, which is also confirmed by our volume for 1809, in which the death of Dr. Grant, in London-street, Fitzroy-square, is recorded. H. T. E. will be much obliged to any person who can furnish any genealogical notices respecting "Mr. John Greene, Recorder of London, son of Sergeant Greene," who died November, 1659, according to Smith's Obituary. CHEVRON begs to call attention to the following subject. In Nichols's History of Leicestershire, in the pedigree of Cotes of Ayleston, Alexander Cotes of Whittington, the son of John Cotes of Norbury, Staffordshire, is stated to be the son of John Cotes of Cotes and Woodcote, by Ellen, daughter of Richard Littleton, which last John was the son of another John Cotes. In Burke's Landed Gentry John Cotes, who married Ellen Littleton, is described as son of Humphrey Cotes, and father of John Cotes of Cotes and Woodcote, who had, with other issue, a son, who was progenitor of the succeeding Cotes of Woodcote. This last John Cotes would therefore correspond with John Cotes of Norbury, and Alexander might be one of the other issue, mentioned but not detailed in Burke's Landed Gentry. The dates, however, do not agree, the former John being alive in 1574, the latter having died 1544. (See Nichols's Leic.) These discrepancies giving rise to doubt if the Ayleston Cotes were descended from the marriage of John Cotes with Ellen Littleton, our Correspondent would feel obliged if any of our readers could inform him what are the correct generations from Alexander to the junction of his ancestors with the Woodcote family. In Harleian MSS. 1180 and 1173, there is no account of the Ayleston family earlier than the above-named John Cotes of Norbury. Note to Mr. Bayley's memoir in the December number, 1848.-The first president of Stockton Mechanics' Institution, and Mr. Bayley's predecessor in that office, was the late Mr. Cartwright, of Norton, co. Durham, J. P. &c. (See review of Burke's Commoners, January 1847.) When he resigned that office and left the district about 1839-40, Mr. Bailey succeeded him as president of the Mechanics' Institution, and continued to preside there till his death. Mr. Bailey's retired partner, William Grey, esq. formerly of Paradise-row, Stockton, solicitor, who had married the heiress of Scurfield, took Mr. Cartwright's residence at Norton (becoming a J.P. &c.), and still lives in it. (See Burke's Suppt. to the Commoners.) ERRATUM.-P. 281, col. 2, line 32, for Dieux read Dieu. GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. Life and Correspondence of David Hume. From the Papers bequeathed 1846. 2 vols. IT is commonly said that no one is a hero to his valet de chambre; but it appears that a still closer connection than that of the servant does not always lead to a more favourable opinion. There is a traditional anecdote to the effect that Mrs. Hume, expressing her opinion of her son David and his accomplishments, said,-" Our Davie's a fine, good-natured crater, but uncommon wake-minded." * It is fortunate for us that other persons have formed a somewhat gentler opinion of the philosopher's talents, for it has stimulated Mr. Burton to the execution of the present Life, one of the most interesting and instructive biographies we have in our language. Prior to the appearance of these volumes, all previous accounts of Hume were very scanty and imperfect, and we have heard that scarcely any traditional anecdotes are remembered of him at the present time in his native country. We think that the late Professor Dugald Stewart must have known somewhat more than he would trouble himself to impart; for, though fond of collecting anecdotes and mentioning characteristic traits of the eminent persons who had lived in the preceding generation in that philosophic circle of which he himself was so distinguished an ornament, yet, we think with some apparent inconsistency, he was not very willing to impart them to the public. This may perhaps have arisen from a delicate and reverential feeling for the character of departed genius, yet it has deprived his beautiful specimens of biography of some of their brightest and gayest colouring,† and taken force, and vigour, and life from the features of the portrait. No complaint of this kind can be made against the present biography. Mr. Burton has had access to the most authentic sources, and has employed them with great judgment and ability. In * Yet Mr. Burton informs us that Mrs. Hume was evidently an accomplished woman, worthy of the sympathy and respect of her son. Her portrait exhibits a thin but pleasing countenance, expressive of great intellectual acuteness, &c. Vol. i. p. 295.-REV. + Mr. Horner made it the subject of his complaint that Mr. Dugald Stewart's afterdinner conversation was chiefly confined to personal anecdotes and reminiscences in which he delighted, when he would have preferred subjects of higher and graver interest; and yet, though the Professor is said to have possessed many most curious remembrances of Adam Smith, he has not gratified us by them in the Life which he wrote of that emi. nent man, and they have perished. Mr. Horner does not think Dugald Stewart successful in biographical composition, and that his conceptions of character, though formed with comprehensive design, want that individuality to which the painter of portraits must be doomed :-" His genius for writing," he says, "belongs to a higher class, but is confined to that; he is not qualified for an inferior." Therefore we may add that his Life of Robertson was the most interesting of all he wrote, because abounding in most personal knowledge. Why did he not give us more anecdotes like that of the aged historian, in the last year of his life, viewing with a smile of interest the blossoms of those favourite trees of which he knew he was not to taste the fruit? See p. 202.-REV. * the manner in which their collection has been used the Council of the Royal Society has received the best return for the liberality of their gift; while Mr. Burton's judicious criticisms on the various subjects that arise in that copious field of investigation which Hume cultivated with such ardour and success, and his independent opinions, add a great value to the whole. Since the publication of his History he has printed the second work, the title of which is at the head of the present article. "Having," as he says, "selected from the large mass of papers placed at my disposal the portions which suited my immediate purpose, a quantity of documents still remained, which, though they had no reference to my own, might be serviceable to the literary pursuits of others, and would afford pleasureable reading to those who are curious in biography and the familiar correspondence of great men. Being allowed to retain the privilege of selecting from these papers whatever might seem worthy of publication, I felt that I might be considered guilty of culpable neglect to the interests of literature if I failed to render accessible to those likely to appreciate them the intellectual treasures of so curious and valuable a collection. The lovers of literary history will require only to glance over the list of names under which the several letters are grouped, to estimate the character of their contents," &c. These letters, we may add, are very miscellaneous, containing a large portion from French writers,—as Helvetius, Turgot, D'Alembert, Madame de l'Espinasse, Madame de Boufflers, the Baron de Holbach, Diderot, the Abbé Morellet, &c. Those of the English we think scarcely of equal interest; but the entire volume contains a variety of curious information on literature and persons, and would deserve a more copious illustration than we have any opportunity, or perhaps power, to give. In the present article we have confined ourselves to a few preliminary literary notices on Mr. Burton's two former volumes, thinking it is possible that some of them may be of use to him in a new edition, which must soon be called for, of his work. If not, our little labours will have been well rewarded by the pleasure of going over the writings, and recalling to our recollection the names and history of so many men of various merits and acquirements, who have all, in their different proportions, brought some addition to the general stock of science and literature.† The biographer here gives a long and interesting note on the once famous physician and philosopher" Dr. Cheyne." His life was repub * "I have heard," says Mr. Horner, "upon very good authority, that, when Hume was engaged in the composition of his History, he generally worked thirteen hours a day. These miracles are mortifying to me. Neither my mind nor body is equal to such herculean achievements. See Life of Horner, i. 175.-Rev. † In Letter IV., from Lord Lyttelton to Hume, it appears that the latter confided the task of marking his Scotticisms in his History to Lord Lyttelton. In our Magazine for last February, pp. 135, 136, we noticed some remarkable ones in the writings of various eminent authors of that country, to which we could have added other less illustrious names. Even Dugald Stewart and the writers for the Edinburgh Review are not quite free from them. In the present volume a few occur: as vol. i. p. 31, "A new scene of thought is opened up.' Ib. p. 207, "The sources of emolument had not been opened up." Ib. p. 272, "Open up a new prospect." Ib. vol. ii. p. 335, “An account for nine francs, which it appears he was not due," i.e. did not owe; this expression we never met with before." Ib. p. 367, "The impressions produced on an on-looker;" a periodical paper called the Looker-on would have corrected this. Ib. p. 486, "Hume had opened up his own mind." Ib. p. 515, "I go very fast to decline." Ib. p. 521, To open up so wide a prospect." In the Life of Crabbe the poet, a Scotch writer says, My wife and sister carried him to hear service," p. 279, where we should say took.-REV. 46 lished at Oxford in 1846. P. 26, he says, "I never found any sensible tranquillity or amendment till I came to this firm and settled resolution in the main, viz. to neglect nothing to secure my eternal peace more than if I had been satisfied I should die within the day; nor to mind any thing that my secular obligations and duties deserved of me less than if I had been ensured to live fifty years more." Of his temperance, he says, "For near twenty years I continued sober, moderate, and plain in my diet, and in my greatest health drank not above a quart or three pints of wine at most in any day," &c. Some of Cheyne's sayings, it will be recollected, are quoted with approbation by Dr. Johnson, see Boswell's Life, iv. 52, vi. 145, &c. It was Beau Nash who was one of his patients, and, being asked one day by Dr. Cheyne if he had followed his last prescription, replied in the negative; adding, " If I had, Doctor, I should certainly have broken my neck, for I threw it out of a two-pair-of-stairs window." P. 83. Mr. Burton justly observes : "It is one of the peculiar features of the history of mental philosophy, that there is scarcely ever a new principle, associated with the name of a great author, but it is shewn that it has been anticipated, in some oracular sentence, probably by an obscure writer. Joseph Glanvill is pretty well known as the author of Saducismus Triumphatus,' a vindication of the belief in witches and "If apparitions, which must have been perused by all the curious in this species of lore. Glanvill was the author of various tracts on biblical subjects, but it is not generally known that he wrote a book on sceptical philosophy, called 'Scepsis Scientifica, or Confest Ignorance the Way to Science,' until it was unearthed by the persevering inquiries of Mr. Hallam," &c. We think Mr. Burton has a little overrated the obscurity of this work; it has been long known to and possessed by us; it is the second edition of the "Vanity of Dogmatizing," with a new preface and title-page. We have besides, of the same author: Essays on Important Subjects. 1655. 4to. Two Choice and Useful Treatises. 1682. 8vo. Philosophic Pieces on Experimental Philosophy. 1671. The great platonic philosopher Henry More wrote Glanvill's Life, prefixed to "Saducismus Triumphatus," 2d ed. 1662. Glanvill it is not generally known wrote on Bath Springs, in the Philosophical Transactions, 1669, also " Whip for the Droll, fiddle to the Atheist." 1668. Professor Sedgwick calls Glanvill a man of stern rectitude and profound sagacity; his style is elegant and manly, forcible and simple. We believe our learned friend Mr. Crossly possesses a continuation of Bacon's New Atalantis, by J. Glanvill, in manuscript, with the title, "Bensalem," folio, 63 pages. See "Life of Worthington," pp. 214, 299, 301. Glanvill's argument against a necessary connexion of causes and effects is praised by Sir James Mackintosh in his " View of Ethical Philosophy," p. 137. P. 86.-Beattie, in his "Essay on Truth," says, "Had I done but half as much as he (Hume) in labouring to subvert principles which ought ever to be held sacred, I know not whether the friends of truth would have granted me any indulgence. I am sure they ought not. Let me be treated with the lenity due to a good citizen no longer than I act as becomes one." On this Dr. Priestley observes, "that certainly the obvious construction of this passage is, that Mr. Hume ought not to be treated with 6 the indulgence and lenity due to a good citizen, but ought to be punished as a bad one; and what is this but what a Bonner and a Gardiner might have put into the preamble of an order for his execution ?" Sir James Mackintosh also observes, "Beattie, in his Essay on Truth'- -an unfair appeal to the multitude on philosophical questions-indulged himself in the personalities and invective of a popular pamphleteer." See "View of Ethical Philosophy," p. 214. We may add, that a little of the same leaven is found in Reid's Inquiry into the Human Mind, and is certainly misplaced in the pure investigation of truth. Berkeley and Wolff. From the following correspondence it will be seen that Hume submitted the MS. of his forthcoming volume to Hutcheson's inspection; and he shows more inclination to receive with deference the suggestions of that distinguished man, than to allow himself to be influenced from any other quarter." P. 111.-"While Hume was preparing for the press the third part of his Treatise of Human Nature,' on the subject of Morals, Francis Hutcheson, then Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, was enjoying a reputation in the philosophical world scarcely inferior to that of either of his great contemporariesOn Hutcheson's "System" the reader may consult Reid "On the Human Mind," vol. ii. p. 531, or Dugald Stewart "On the Active and Moral Powers," vol. i. p. 252-260. See also Stewart's "Life of Reid," in censure of Hutcheson's language and reasonings, p. xiv. Dr. Parr was an admirer of Hutcheson, as may be seen in the notes to the famous " Spital Sermon" (which we heard preached), pp. 51, 79, and Stewart's "Philosophical Essays," p. 110, 8vo. The "Life of Hutcheson," by Dr. Leechman, prefixed to Hutcheson's "System of Moral Philosophy," 1755, Sir James Mackintosh calls a fine piece of philosophical biography (see "View of Ethical Philosophy," p. 128); but we never met with it. P. 125. Mr. Burton has given a few passages of Hume's notes of matters which occurred to him in the course of his reading as worthy of observation, or of remarkable thoughts passing through his mind. They were written on slips of paper. A considerable portion has not been made use of in Hume's printed works; but some of them contain information which is embodied in Smith's "Wealth of Nations." It is an occurrence, he observes, quite characteristic of the friendship of these two great men, that either of them should have supplied the other with facts or ideas applicable to the subjects on which he might have been engaged. We can only extract a very few. The first is : 66 'Perhaps the custom of allowing parents to murder their infant children, though barbarous, tends to render a state more populous; as in China many marry by that inducement, and, such is the force of natural affection, that none make use of that privilege but in extreme necessity." "No hospitals in Holland have any land or settled revenue, and yet the poor are better provided for than any where else in the world." "In the time of the monarchy the kings had the sole power of imposing taxes. In the time of the Republic 'tis strange to see this power belonging sometimes to the magistrates-sometimes to the senate or to the people. We learn from Livy, in the Second Punic War, that the senate could contract debt alone. Polybius says, that all money matters belonged to the Senate. The censors levied all the taxes, and farmed them out to the Roman knights. The Romans could be no great politicians; since the Senate could not gain the sovereignty, nor the censors the supreme magistracy, notwithstanding these advantages." "Men have much oftener erred from too great respect to government, than from too little." "Within the last two thousand years almost all the despotic governments of the world have been improving, and the free ones degenerating; so that now they are pretty near a par.' "Banks first invented in Sweden on account of their copper money." "There is not a word of trade in all Machiavel, which is strange, considering that Florence rose only by trade." "The farms were large among the ancients. The Leontine farms in Sicily |