Without entering into any arguments for the propriety or impropriety of publishing familiar letters, we are not fo faftidious as to fay that the perufal of the prefent collection has difpleated us. Not a fingle letter in thele volumes could poffibly have been written for the public eye; yet, with only one exception (the defeription of a Chriftinas-day dinner, 1779), they reflect not the leafi difcredit on the writer. They are, generally fpeaking, the tender effifions of a father, writing in the fulleft confidence to a beloved child, auxioutly alive to her health, her comforts, and her highly-cultivated perfections; but they are intermixed with fuch perpetual traits of refined epicurifim, that thole who have no acquaintance with Mr. Wilkes but through the medium of thefe letters will naturally fuppofe that his thoughts were much abforbed in the luxuries of the table. In juflice to his memory, however, let it be told, that his couvivial invitations were in general felect, and never numerous. His maxim was, that a dinner party, to be comfortable, fhould never confift of more than the number of the Mufes, nor of lefs than that of the Graces. He fpared neither trouble nor expence in providing what was exquifitely good. When in London, he had frequently his mutton from Bath or Wales; when at Sandhamn cottage, from Southampton; and his fish from the Devon hire coaft. He had the happieft addrefs in grouping his friends, and of entertaining them with the highest elegance, both at the table and after it; and was himself a very moderate, but delicate feeder; and very abftemious at the bottle.

The letters written during the King's illness in 1783 are highly interefting; and the Prince of Wales's folemn de claration relpecting his fuppofed marriage is a very remarkable fact.

But in vain do we look here for thofe "Memoirs of himself," which he mentions with much fatisfaction, and of which, in 1780, he read "chofen parts" to Dr. Willon, and which WE alfo have frequently heard him read. In vain, alfo, do we feek among the few Poems" for the elegant "Odes of Anacreon," with no finall portion of which we have repeatedly been entertained, and which he certainly intended for the prefs; as he did the few highly-finifhed fhort Speeches delivered by him, as Chamberlain at Guildhall,

on prefenting the freedom of London to feveral eminent public characters; the latt of them to Admiral Waldegrave, not many days before his death. Ali thefe, however, were tranfinitted by himfell to our former volumes.

His " Introduction to the Hiftory of England" might, without any material injury to his reputation, have been fuffered to fleep in its obfcurity.

6. The Correspondence of the late John Wilkes with his Friends, printed from the original Manufcripts; in which are introduced Memoirs of bis Life, by John Almon. In Fine Volumes

AFTER having given an impartial opinion of the preceding article,` we may now fay, Paulò majora canamus. From the advertisements in the newspapers, the reader at a distance from the Metropolis might naturally fuppofe that these were two different editions of the fame work, brought forth by rival bookfellers running a race to catch the gale of popular curiofity. But this is not exactly the cafe. The collections are different, and the letters written at different periods. The edition in four volumes, however, would probably never have appeared, had not the other been previously announced. If the two publications were properly amalgamated, and two-thirds of the con tenis fuppreffed, the publick would be gratified with three amufing volumes.

Thofe who are not old enough to recollect the bufy feenes of Wilkes and Liberty will, in the prefent volumes, be furnished with a fatisfactory peep behind the political curtain into scenes in which Mr. Almon was himself a Jubaltern actor. His intimacy with Mr. Wilkes began in 1761, and continued till the Patriot's death; and, in addition to his own perfonal knowledge, he has had access to fome authentic fources of information.

Mr. Wilkes's feveral contentions with the Minifters of the Crown are fairly fiated; and fome important facts recorded, which have never been laid before the publick.

An account of the families of Wilkes and Mead is properly prefixed; of Mr. Wilkes's ill fate as a candidate at Berwick in 1754; and his fuccefs at Aylefbury in 1757 and 1761. His portrait, engraved by Caroline Wation from a painting by Pine, is well executed, and a pleafing likeness.

In the "total abandonment of every
ho-

46

honourable principle,“ demonftrated in the character given of Mr. Wilkes in The Briton," after the warm expreffions of gratitude profeffed in the letters of Dr. Smollett here exhibited, is a melancholy proof (in the Doctor) of the imperfection of human nature.

The applications of Mr. Wilkes for the embally to Conftantinople and the government of Canada are fatisfactorily detailed; with the procefs of his apprehenfion as author of "The North Briton," and the fubfequent proceedings during the political turmoil which it occafioned.

The correspondence with his daughter is of the me amiable complexion with thofe in the preceding article, but in general on fubjects of higher intereft; and in the prefent volumes are fome from correfpondents of high refpectability. The Account of his Tour to Naples, is particularly interefting; as are h's Letters to Mr Cotes, in which his inmoft fentiments are laid open.

The defeription of the Villakin in the Ile of Wight might have been much improved from our account and view of it in February laft, p. 103. Of this elegant retreat, which Mr. Wilkes characterizes as "olim filveftribus horrida dumis," but which he had made a litle earthly Paradife, we are enabled, from a MS. of his own, to fubjoin the following particulars :

The lowest roon near the fea is 24 feet by 18; the height 18 feet; a recefs for

The Remarks on Sir John Coft's Speech, when he reprimanded the Magiftrates of Oxford, is an admirable fpecimen of irony, but it is unmercifully and unjustifiably fevere.

In 1769 he was elected alderman of Farringdon Without; and from that period his confequence was gradually refirmed. In 1771 he was elected the ritf; in 1774, lord mayor; and in 1777 was fo fortunate as to obtain the important and lucrative office of Chamberlain of London, which completely

recruited his finances, and enabled him to difcharge with punctuality every the minute debt which either law, or equity, or the honour of a gentleman, requited him to pay. And here we are glad to find the excellent Speeches to eminent Statefinen and Warriors which are alluded to in the preceding article*. His elegint and accurate editions of Catullus and Theophraftus, which will defcend to potterity among the Libri raciores, are duly noticed; accompanied with billets of acknowledgment from men whofe praife is folid famefrom Lords Spencer and MansfieldDr. Warton-Mr. Hattings-Mr. Cracherode-Mr. Sylvefier Douglas (now Lord Glenbervie)-Mr. Holwell-Sir Jofeph Banks--Mr. Baldwyn, &c. &c. The melancholy fituation of the wi*That to Acm. ! Waldegrave is mildated. It should be 1797, net 1793.

4 inches by 13 feet 8 inches; the height feet. The number of prints in the Tufcan room 1312. The recefs in the Tufcan room 6 feet 4 inches by 3 feet 1 inch. Mifs Wilkes's text is 11 feet in length, by 4 feet in depth. The large feat near the fea is 21 feet in length, 16 feet in depth. The length of the grofs walk near the fea, caled Mais Wilkes's walk, is 445 feet. The length of the Bird gallery is 20 feet. The diameter of the French circle for the dance in the garden is 16 feet.

"The year 1785 has been particularly prosit us to rofes, white bles, maples, and fycamores, plm-trees, Siberian crabs, monnran tan-afbes, and jett-mmes.”

Of the literary productions of Mr. Wilkes not now reprinted the following lift is given by Mr. Almon:

A Account of Hamden's death; in which he differs from Lord Clarendon, and all the other H.torians, in defcribing his wound as not coming from the enemy. Some Political Effs, printed in the St. Jame's Chronicle, in the ver 1761, it the time when George Colman, Bonnel Thorne ton, and Robert Lloyd, were contributors to that paper. Obfervatious on the Papers relative to the rupture with Spain; with two Papers of the Monitor on the fame fubje&, 1762. "The North Briton,” from No. I. published on the 5th of June, 1762, to No. XLV. published on the 23d of April, 1763, in two volumes. A few copies of a

thod volume of "The North Briten" wera printed at his own private prefs, but were never published. "A Peep in o Futurity," written in 1763. Annual verfes on Mifs Wilkes's birth-day. Sume written in

France;

France; fome in the King's Bench Prifon; and fome in London; all printed in "The Foundling Hofpital for Wit." A letter to the Right Honourable George Granville, occafioned by his publication of the fpeech which he made in the Houfe of Commons, on the Motion for expelling Mr. Wilkes, on the 3d of February, 1769; with an appendix of papers therein referred to. His Controverfial Letters with Mr. Horne, in 1770 and 1774. His addretfes to the City of London, and to the County of Middlefx. His Spreches in Parliament from 1774, two volumes. Another edition in one ve Jame. The laft edition (fe our blue Cover) is the best. But notes are wanting to elucidate many naif ges and allufions." .: Some extracts fhall now be given.. Vol. I. p. 54. "An account of the difmiffion of Mr. Legge was written by Dr. Butler bishop of Hereford. It was printed in quarto, as a pamphlet. It has been fince feveral times printed, in different publications."

P. 77. "David Malloch, author of many forgotten poems and plays, was formerly ufher to a fchool in Scotland. On his arrival from the North, he became a great declaimer at the London coffeehoufes against the Chriftian Religion. 014 furly Dennis was highly offended at s conduct, and always called him Moloch. He then changed his name to Mallet, and foon after published An Epistle to Mr. Pope on Verbal Criticifm.' Theobald was attacked in it, and foon revenged himself in the new edition of Shakfpcare: ' An anonymous writer has, like a Scotch pedlar in wit, unbraced his pack on the fubject. I may fairly fay of this author, as Falftaff does of Poins: "Hang him, baboon! his wit is as thick as Tewkbury mustard; there is no more, conceit in him than a mallet." Preface, p. 52, edition of 1733.

"This Malloch had the happiness of a wife, who had faith enough. She believed that her husband was the greatest poet and wit of the age. Sometimes the would feize and kifs his hand with rapture; and, if the looks of a friend expreffed any fur■ prize, would apologise that it was the dear hand that wrote thofe divine poems.' She once lamented to a lady, how much the reputation of her hubnd suffered by his name being fo frequently confounded with that of Dr. Sinollett. The lady anfwered, Madam, there is a fhort remedy; let your huiband keep to his own

name.

"The fame man published lord Bolingbroke's Pofthumous Works, for which a prefentment was made by the grand jury of Middlefex. Johman faid, that lord Bolingbroke had charged a blunderbuis with all manner of combustibles against the human race; and that he dared not

to let it off himself, but had hired a rafcal to pull the trigger.

"In the octavo abridgement of Johnfon's Dictionary is an article of 'Alias, for otherwife; as, Mallet, alias Malloch; that is, otb raufe Malloch."

P. 84. "The Argyle library was fold again by auction by Leigh and Sotheby June 1785."

Vol. II. p. 59. "I am now got from the Hotel de Saxe, which was very expenfive; and am with Mifs Wilkes, in the Rue St. Nicaife. I pay 2400 livres a year for the apartments, and my fervants I give fifteen pence English a-day to find themselves every thing. Mifs Wilkes and I generally dine alone, and we pay half a-crown a-head for our diner. When any body dines with me, I only order for one more, at the fame rate; by which I fhall know certainly my expence. Travelling is the most expenfive of all things, and therefore I am determined not to fir till I can well afford it. Then I shall wish to go one year to Rome, with Mifs Wilkes; and afterwards to Conftantinople, alone, for fix months."

P. 120. About a mile from Pietra Mala, a little village between Filicala and Cavallaio, is a fingular phenomenon of fire, about nine yards round, arifing from a ftony ground to the height of three or four feet; it is a bright clear flame, without smoke. The greatest rains only extinguish it for a moment; fn:all rains increate it. The ftones round it are much burnt. I removed feveral, and the flames ftill arofe from the fame fpot. They gave a confiderable heat."

P. 180. "I went from Grenoble to fee the Grande Chartreufe; which is the chief monaftery of the Chartreux, and where the general chapter is held once in every year. It is about eight leagues from Grenoble, among the most favage rocks and gloomy woods you can imagine. The fituation infpires horror, rather than pen-a fiveness. The monks are extremely hof pitable, and entertain ftrangers very well.. They fpeak only on particular days; but a pre coadjuteur is appointed to receive and to do the honours to firangers, and. the père général may always talk. They eat no meat; but they have fish of all forts, and garden-ftuff. They are al lowed to drink wine; and the père géréali fent me a prefent of the best Burgundy I ever tafted. They receive all firangers; and there are feparate apartments for the English, French, Spaniards, &c. with a large hall for each to dine in. The building is immenfe, and near it are fmall houfes for all kinds of workmen. I L there; and was as well entertained as it is poffible to be, with the beit fish, bread, butter, cherfe, and wine. I ought to have mentioned first the pious converfae

tion of the good fathers, which edified me greatly, though not quite converted fo obftinate a heretic as my dear Polly knows me to be. Many of the fathers have lived much in the 'gay world, and are indeed truly gentlemen; very polite and easy, and not in the leaft peevish. Several of them were only fons of great fortunes, who have voluntarily retired there. They have each a bed-chamber, an anti-chamber, a cabinet, and a garden; with a variety of iron and wooden inftruments to make chairs, boxes, &c. to amuse themfelves. There is a very old chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, called St. Bruno's chapel (the founder of the order). It is a ftrange antique building, much higher among the rocks than the present convent. The old convent ftood there; but a great fragment of the rock tumbling down, and crushing several of the fathers, obliged the furvivors to build where the Chartreufe now ftands. The famous La Trappe near Paris, which is remarkable for its ftri&refs, holds under the Grande Chartreufe. I found it extremely cold, though it was the end of July; and there is almoft perpetual rain there. The road from Grenoble to it is among rocks and over precipices, with fine cafcades tumbling down in a moft romantic manner *.” P. 190. "My deareft Cotes, I wrote

to you juft before I left Paris, and again from Rome. I take it for granted our rafcally Poft-office ftopped thofe private letters, as the officers of the cuftoms did the public ones to my quendam conftituents at Aylesbury. There is not a man in Europe who writes to a friend under the difadvantages I now do. I have reason to fear the fhadow of a pen; yet I will per

fevere."

tion at Edinburgh after his death.

P. 135. In a letter to Mr. Almon he fays, "I own I was not pleased with some things in the Hiftory of the Minority, which were afcribed to you, and were more than unfair, relative to the late great caufes in the parts I have acted."

P. 139, he offers, if it were thought neceffary, to come to Calais for fome months to conduct any paper; and he believed he could even contrive to print it there.

5. The Justice and Policy of a War with Spain demonfirated.

THE well-informed author of this Pamphlet (the Obfervator, if we mif take not, in our vol. LXXIII. p. 1040), dipallionately examines both the Juftice and Policy of the War; and afte obferving, that ever fince the acceffion of the Bourbons to the throne of Spain, a war with France, on whatever ground commenced, has produced a war with Spain, begun when it was fuppofed tha a long continued conflict had leffened our nieans of annoyance, and when the appearance of a new affailant threatened to render the triumph of our enemies decifive. Many of the in confequence of her fubjugation to aggreffions of Spain fhe has committed France; but the refufal of the payment of her juft debts before the late war, and the various refirictions, detentions under the most frivolous pretences, and frequent unjust condemnations of Britifh property, on the part of his Catholic Majesty, afford undeniable proofs of a determined hoftile fpirit, particularly that of the fhip Mary, from London to Leghorn, with a cargo amounting to` 30,0001. which only entered Ferrol through firefs of weather. After thefe provocations to war, few doubt. its Justice. As to the Policy of it, it furely is important in the prefent ftate of the world, to confider well what France thinks for her in ereft in her courfe towards Univerfal Empire, and endeavour by all the means in our pow

GENT. MAG. January 1805.

er to counteract her machinations, whether they tend to produce peace or war with other ftates. Spain is at prefent hufbanding her refources; drawing her revenue from her diftant colonies; increafing her commercial, and preparing for a warlike navy; and fupplying France, which does not want men, with money to affift her in the attempt at our fubjugation: "It is of the utmost confequence that the naval power of France, and that of every other ftate which the controuls; fhould be deprived of the means of oppofing us on the ocean. We are the barrier between civilization and barbarifm; our naval fuperiority is the only fecurity left that mankind fhall not be again reduced to the condition of the favage tribes of the defert, and therefore even the power of acquiring naval knowledge and naval habits fhould be profcribed to those who are already become, or who are certain when called upon to become, her coadjutors in this unprecedented conflict. Buonaparte has brought failors from the Mediterranean and Adriatic feas to convey his troops to our hores; and what reafon have we to expect, if we fuffer Spain to increafe her marine, and they must increafe if we permit her pretended neutrality, that they alfo will not be tranfported by land to the ports of France, in order to recruit her languithing navy ?". (pp. 14, 15.)

If it be objected that our commercial interefts mufi fuffer by a war with Spain, "it fhould be confidered that the ftate of uncertainty in which we have long been, and in which we must ever be, whilft at war with France, is more prejudicial to our commerce than actual hoftility. When a war once commences, the merchants of the belligerent countries look out for new channels through which to conduct their trade, and in a fhort time, where it depends on mutual wants, and not on reftrictive monopolies, it is carried on in defpite of the exiting warlare with regularity and fuccefs. During the last war with Spain thefe new channels were reforted to; and, happily for us, though peace has taken place, they have not been abandoned, for our merchants and manufacturers, warned by the paft perfidy of the Spanish court, have trufted its fubjects with the utmo caution. This is a public benefit; but if our traders are lulled into fecurity by the conti

nuance of an apparent reconciliation, British confidence may again revive; and the fhock of war when it arrives be felt with tenfold force. In truth, the trade between Spain and England du ring the laft war was principally conducted by Spanish houfes, which under the unviolated faith of Great Bri tain were fecurely kept open here, whilft partners in the firms, or connexions in Spain, regulated the commerce there, by this means, and by the aid of neutral fhips, the mutual wants of the two countries were fupplied; the wines, the oil, the brandies, and the wool of Spain, found the beft mar kets in England, and the manufactures of Great Britain were not fcantily dif tributed in his Catholic Majefty's di minions: there can then be no reason to doubt but that, under fimilar circunftances, the fame course will be purfued with equal facility and advantage." (pp. 16—18.)

The author does not fee fo much danger to Portugal from a Spanish war; but, if the grand enemy of mankind fhould get poffeflion of that kingdom, its dominions in Africa and America will be feparated from it, and the treafury of the Brazils be thrown into the lap of Great Britain. "The inhabitants of Spain have not witneffed the horrid wonders of revolutionary France; and, not having undergone that procefs, their minds are unpres pared for an exchange of the dominion of their lawful King for the ufurpation of a new dynafty; and therefore the attempt to effect fuch a revolution would be likely to rouze their indigna tion, and render the vaffal flate a dead weight upon, rather than an acquifition to, the Chief of the French." To fubject the Colonies of Spain to our dominion; to erect them into independent governments under the protection of this country; or fimply to disjoin them from the parent flate; are points of very high importance: and the an thor doubts not that each of thefe achievements may be realized. Spain has never improved the advantages of colonization, or her commerce, or revenues: nor have her fubjects emigrated from Europe in the fame pro portion as from Great Britain, or imported any of the advantages of Europe into them.

I hope there is no prefumption in fuppofing it to be the object of our mi

nifters