1

present occasion, and he terms this a great and illustrious undertaking, in his work on ancient coins."*

It was the intention of Dr. Combe, to have extended his description to the whole of the precious contents of this rare assemblage; but the death of Dr. Hunter, in the course of the succeeding year t, after the publication of Part II, precluded his further labours. At his demise, however, he found himself named in conjunction with Dr. David Pitcairn, and Dr. George Fordyce, his executors, and to these gentlemen, together with his nephew Dr. Bailie, whose name was as yet hardly known, were left the sole use and enjoyment of his whole cabinet, during the space of thirty years. It is no less wonderful than true, that all these gentlemen either lived nearly to, or have survived that remote period, distant as it then appeared! According to the will of the Doctor, it was then by a special clause, bequeathed in perpetuity to the University of Glasgow, which had conferred on him the degree of M. D.

After a long interval, Dr. Combe resumed his classical labours, which had now taken a different direction. Having formed a literary association, with his old school-fellow Dr. Parr, and the Rev. Henry Homer, M. A. of Emanuel College, Cambridge, it was determined to publish an elegant edition of Horace cum notis variorum. The Text of Gesner, the Index of Treter, and the best notes of the best Commentators, were all to be adopted; while the seven valuable manuscripts in the British Museum, were at the same time to

"Illustre hoc opus continet partem thesauri numismatici quem Hunterus artie anatomicæ ævo suo facile princeps coemptis ingenti sumptu plurimis museis, quæ in proœmio recensentur, ad prodigium auxit.

"Nummorum catalogus a Combio erudite, intide, et adcurate contextus est, subjectis ad calcem rariorum aut anecdotorum copiosis tabulis æneis. Ut thesauri hujus incredibiles copias et præstantiam non possumus satis admirari, ita dolemus, una cum Huntero exspirasse quoque spem nobis in eodem proœmio ostentatam, fore ut, quo cœptum est, more lucem etiam videant classes aliæ, videlicet numi peregrina lingua inscripti, nummi regum, nummi imperatorum in coloniis et Græcis urbibus cusi, nummi Romanorum inediti, nummi Saxonici et Anglici. Sed hæc credo nostra vota pridem abstalerè venti, päs tantum desideriis nobis relictis.". Doct. Num. Vet. p. clxx. + On March 30, 1783.

be recurred to, both for the various readings, as well as illustration.

But Dr. Parr, the Atlas of this great undertaking, is said to have declined, in consequence of which the labour at first chiefly devolved on Mr. Homer, who is said to have been a most accurate editor of editions of the prose classics, but less fitted for an undertaking like the present. Yet, such was the conscientious diligence exerted by this gentleman to fulfil his engagements with the public; and such the vexation and dis. appointment incurred by him in the course of his efforts, that his health yielded beneath the pressure, and even life itself is said to have been actually shortened on this very account.

On the demise of his coadjutor, the remainder of the first volume, and the whole of the second, were prepared for and conducted through the press solely by Dr. Combe, who on this occasion unluckily invoked no other aid or assistance. It was published in 1793, and dedicated to the venerable Earl of Mansfield, an engraving of whose portrait is prefixed.

It is greatly to be lamented, that Dr. Parr was unable to fulfil his original engagement: for many obvious blunders in the Greek quotations in the notes, would have been instantly rectified. These soon caught his eagle eye, and in an able review, which appeared in the British Critic, experienced all the severity of his animadversion. His pen, like the spear of Abdiel, readily pointed them out; and thus the conjoint labours of a Homer and a Combe were scattered in the dust. It must be allowed, however, that the work in question displayed a most magnificent specimen of British typography while the Index is allowed by all to be the best, most copious, and most correct extant.

Dr. Combe instantly replied to the Critic, in a pamphlet ; which was answered by another: thus a paper war com-menced, and was carried on for some time between two old friends and school-fellows. to the entire gratification of the enemies, and the sincere sorrow of the friends of both parties. After this, Dr. Combe once more engaged himself in me

dallic pursuits*; and the fine collection of numismatic treasure at the British Museum, furnished ample opportunity to indulge his ruling passion. He had lived for some time in Bloomsbury-square, whence he removed to Vernon-place, where he died on March 18, 1817, in the 74th year of his age.

* When the celebrated Mr. Howard, had endeared himself to all the world, by the generous sacrifice of both life and fortune for the benefit of mankind, the propriety of erecting a statue to him, during his life-time, was suggested by some spirited individuals. He, however, absolutely refused to accept of such a testimony of the public esteem. On this, a medal was thought of; and Dr. John Coakley Lettsom, who had distinguished himself by his zeal and liberality, on a subject which presented not a few difficulties, consulted Dr. Combe, as will be seen by the following letter, in reply: (Vide Life and Correspondence of Dr. L. vol. i. p. 587.)

"TO DR. LETTSOM.

"Bloomsbury-square, Oct. 22, 1787. "In regard to the Howardian Medal, I submit the following to your consideration: • A medal, unless appropriated to some person, or recording some fact, or series of facts, well defined, that is, clearly pointed out, becomes nugatory. Mr. Howard having refused to let either his head or name be placed on the medal, has rendered it very difficult to do him honour, or inform posterity, or even foreigners of the present age, the occasion and intention of striking it.

"Under circumstances thus discouraging, I have attempted something. There seem to be two considerable objections against a Greek inscription, however apposite and elegant; one arising from the smallness of the number of people who are able to read it, and so far counteracting the design of a medal; the other from the artists not having Greek punches for the letters; and to have them made for one medal only would be very expensive.

"As the medal is intended for foreigners as well as our own countrymen, I thiuk an English inscription is not suitable. Latin is a language generally understood throughout Europe; more can be compressed by it in a less space, and custom seems to have made it, (if I may be allowed the expression,) the medallic language.

"On the obverse, a view of a prison, which by irons, chains, &c. may be clearly defined; toward this a man walking, in the exergue:

" NEC MORBI NEC EQUORA TERRENT.'

Alluding to the dangers he underwent of infectious diseases, and in travelling, when in pursuit of his very humane plan.

"On the reverse, the figure of BRITANNIA, the same as on a medal of Antoninus Pius, holding out a civic crown, over a standing figure; and underneath,

" BRITANNIA, L. M. MISERORUM CONSOLATORI, 1787.' "Still something I think is wanting for the information of posterity, which must be supplied by gentlemen having the following engraved round the edge after they had received the medal. IN HONOREM HOWARDII ARMIG.

Dr. Combe was a well known collector and purchaser of rare books. Like the late King of Wirtemburg, he possessed an immense number of the editions of the Bible, which were lately purchased by the trustees of the British Museum.

List of the Works of the late Dr. Charles Combe.

1. Index Nummorum omnium Imperatorum, Augustarum, et Cæsarum, à Julio Cæsare usque ad Postumum, qui tamen Româ et Coloniis quam in Græcia, Ægypto, et aliis locis ex ære magni moduli signabantur. Lond. 1773. 4to.

2. Nummorum veterum Populorum, et Urbium in Museo Gulielmi Hunter, Descriptio, 4to. 1782.

3. Quint. Horatii Flacci opera cum variis lectionibus, notis variorum, et indice completissimo. Lond. 1792-3. 2 vols.

4to.

4. A Statement of Facts, relative to the behaviour of Dr. Samuel Parr, to the late Mr. H. Homer, and Dr. Combe, 8vo. 1793.

No. XVII.

SIR ALEXANDER THOMPSON, KNT.

LATE CHIEF BARON OF THE COURT OF EXCHEQUER.

After due study and entered into

SR Alexander Thompson was a native of the North of England, where he was born in 1745. Having been destined for the law, he was sent to the University; and at a proper period entered at one of the Inns of Court. and application he was called to the bar, practice soon after, which encreased considerably, on account of his extraordinary application and attention. These qualities, superadded to his intimate knowledge of the laws of England, recommended him to the notice of a former Duke of Bedford (the grandfather of the present), and he conducted several suits for his Grace, with equal credit and ability. He was afterwards, if we are not misinformed, employed for many years as auditor of the various estates, both in town and country; and did not resign this situation until he was appointed, like his successor Mr. Baron Adam, to the bench.

When Sir James Eyre became Chief Baron of the Exchequer, on January 26, 1787, Mr. Thompson received the honour of knighthood, and was nominated a Baron in his place. In this situation he remained until 1793, when, on the resignation of Sir Archibald M'Donald, he became chief of that court in which he had before been a puisné, or junior judge.

In respect to legal knowledge his reputation was exceedingly high; and for his perspicuity as well as integrity, he has been always praised. He sat for many years in the Exchequer, and having outlived the Judges Gold, Heath, Rooke, Hotham, Eyre, Grose, Ashhurst, Lord Mansfield, &c. he stood alone,