9. Hints for History, respecting the attempt on the King's Life, May 15, 1800.

10. Proposals for publishing by subscription a new edition of Johnson's Dictionary; corrected without the smallest omission; considerably improved, and enlarged with more than twenty-thousand words; illustrated by examples from the books quoted by Dr. Johnson, and by others, of the best authority in our own and former times.

N. B. The subscription 12 guineas. 1792.

11. Congratulatory Verses on the Restoration of the Bourbons, addressed to the Duchess of Angouleme, 4to. Paris, 1814; and

12. Reflections for the consideration of the Congress at Vienna, 8vo. Paris, 1814.

The Rev. Sir Herbert Croft, was succeeded in the baronetcy by his younger brother, the present Sir Richard Croft, a distinguished accoucheur.

[With an Analysis of his principal Works.]

THE life of this extraordinary man is replete with incident. It is difficult, however, to designate his station with exact propriety: for if the character of a Priest be indelible, as was maintained in Parliament, while discussing, the case of a celebrated Philologist, he never could divest himself of that title and office. Certain it is, however, that like the Author of EПEA ПTEPOENTA, he considered this as one of the many politic maxims of the Romish Church, which had become obsolete and of no avail, posterior to the reformation. Like him, therefore, he deemed himself, of late years, a layman, and always was styled, and wished to be considered, as well as addressed, in the character of a private gentleman.

In respect to his memoirs, ample materials exist relative to all the principal epochs. He was known to a wide circle of men of letters; and by founding, as well as presiding for many years, over a great, flourishing, popular, and benevolent institution, his name, character, and actions, have become familiar to the public at large. A gentleman * indeed, while he was yet alive, actually wrote and published his life, a task for which he⚫ had become eminently qualified by a long and intimate acquaintance; while the author of the present article has seen, perused, and had in his possession, a manuscript Biography, compiled under his immediate inspection, and corrected by his own hand.

David Williams was a native of Wales, having been born at an obscure village near Cardigan, in 1788. His father, once possessed considerable property, but in consequence of some unsuccessful speculations in that species of underground lottery connected with mines, his circumstances became embarrassed, and he removed from his former place of abode to the above county, with a family consisting of several children. While these were sent to a neighbouring school for education, the elder Mr. Williams endeavoured to seek for refuge from the reflections incident to-his misfortunes, by associating with the Methodists, who then, as now, were extremely numerous in the principality. But not content with the consolations derived from religion, he determined to extend them to his children; and actually proposed to dedicate one of these to the ministry; indeed it appears to have been the very pinnacle of his ambition to have beheld his dearly beloved David a teacher, or as he was pleased to express it, a Saint among this class of Sectaries. He was accordingly educated, at Carmarthen, expressly for this purpose.

*The late Captain Thomas Morris, who lived for many years, in the most unreserved friendship, and familiarity with Mr. Williams. They met and conversed daily; but at length, a coolness unhappily intervened, and not only their intimacy, but even their acquaintance ceased.

The Captain was one of the early promoters of the literary fund, and actually appeared in the character of Richard III. for the benefit of that institution.

C

The son, however, according to his own candid confession, was utterly unqualified for the self-denial and austerities of an evangelical life. Gay, sprightly, and ardent, his bosom languished for pleasure; he wished to mingle with the world at large; and soon began to hold in abhorrence all those "formalities and grimaces" which were scrupulously required of one, who aspired to something approximating to inspiration. Two circumstances chiefly concurred, however, in fixing his wavering resolutions: the one was the extreme poverty of his family; the other, the dying injunctions of a fond parent: these powerfully co-operating in the present instance, and no other provision indeed, offering, to administer to his necessities he finally consented to submit to the usual preparatory forms, which it may be easily supposed, were neither tedious nor expensive.

We now behold him, while still a youth, officiating in the character of a minister, at Frome, in Somersetshire. Although he had then scarcely attained the age of manhood, yet he appears to have actually become a popular preacher. As a convincing proof of this, it is only necessary to state, that at twenty-two, such was his reputation for piety and zeal, that he received an invitation to the city of Exeter. On this occasion he underwent the requisite formalities of a new ordination; and as he was now called upon to preside over an Arian congregation, it is evident that he had changed his Methodistical principles, for those of a class of dissenters, then, as now, not very numerous.

Being both young and volatile, he appears, however, to have been still unsettled as to religious tenets; for soon after this we find him engaged in a plan to introduce a Socinian liturgy among his new flock. A society for this purpose, had actually been formed at the Octagon Chapel, in Liverpool, and Mr. Williams appears to have had such a firm hold of the consciences of his congregation as to induce them to adopt it. Yet, he did not long remain with those who had thus implicitly submitted to his controul. Two different reasons have been assigned for his quitting the West of England: he on his part, urged the hypocrisy of his associates; while his enemies,

on the other hand, insinuated that notwithstanding the apparent, and perhaps real fervour of his devotions, the preacher who had proved unable to subdue his own passions, was not exactly fitted either for his charge or his functions.

Be this as it may, certain it is that Mr. Williams repaired to London for the express purpose of improving his condition; and it is a most convincing proof that his conduct could not have been very obnoxious, either at Frome or Exeter, when it is recollected, that he was now cordially received by a new flock, and for some time actually did duty at a Dissenting Meeting-house, at Highgate. Here he preached a course of sermons "On Religious Hypocrisy," which discourses were afterwards published. He also appears at this time to have mingled freely with the world at large, and to have often frequented the play-houses; for he now began to write theatrical criticisms, and to enter into discussions on various important subjects. Accordingly, about this time, appeared a "Letter to Mr. Garrick, on his conduct and talents as a manager and performer;" and also "The Philosopher," consisting of three political conversations, dedicated to Lord Mansfield, and the Bishop of Gloucester.

Nearly at the same period, a respectable, if not a numerous portion of the clergy of the Church of England, appears to have -wished to be relieved from certain conscientious scruples. They accordingly assembled at the Feathers' Tavern, in Leicesterfields, and being joined by a great many Dissenting Ministers, a petition for relief in respect to subscription to the thirty-nine articles, was immediately agreed upon. On this occasion, the assistance of Mr. Williams is said to have been invoked. Certain it is, that he penned "Essays on Public Worship, Patriotism, and Projects of Reformation," but on this, as on former occasions, he was thought to have leaned too much towards Deism, for an Orthodox Dissenter; and in an appendix, soon after subjoined, he openly attacked the creed of his former associates, of whom he now took leave, for ever.

During some years, a new and great scheme had been brooding in his mind, which he now determined to carry into