or defcription, being diftinguished from them. Well, it does not furprife us to hear that "thofe men, who are the moft indifferent to practical religion, are the fr, and serious Chriftians the last, to embrace the rational fyftem, because it is no more than might be expected; if there be any thing furprifing in the affair, it is, that thofe who make thefe acknowlegements fhould yet boat of their principles on account of their moral tendency" (p. 106—110). "The idea that our opponents love principally to dwell upon is that of a father. Hence the charge, that we reprefent God in fuch a light that no earthly parent could imitate him, without fuftaining a character fhocking to humanity.' This opinion, I may obferve, in the first place, comes with an ill grace from Dr. Priestley, who teaches that God is the author of fin, and may do evil, profvided it be with a view that good may come' (On Neceffity, p. 117-121). Is not this reprefenting God in fuch a light that no one could imitate him without fuflaining a character shocking to huma nity? Whether Dr. Priestley's notions on this fubject be true or not, it is true that God's ways are fo much above ours, that it is unjuft, in many cafes, to meafure his conduct to a rebellious world by that of a father to his children" (p. 120). In this way Mr. F. rallies and retorts on Dr. Priestley, and his affociates, their charges of want of candour and their fpiritual pride (p. 160), and their cha rity mifcalled (p. 171). The tenth letter, on Charity and the charge of Bigotry, is an home-thruft, not eafily parried, as it will be a difficult matter to get over the rejection of certain fundamentals of Christianity inculcated in the Gofpel of Chrift. Let us hear Mr. F's definition of Bigotry (p. 193): "Bigotry, as I understand it, is a blind and inordinate attachment to one's own opinions. If we be attached to principles on account of their being ours, or becaufe we have imbibed them, rather than because they appear to us to be taught in the Holy Scripture; if we be attached to fome peculiar principles, to the neglect of others, or to as to give them a greater proportion in the fyftem than they require; if we confider things as being of greater importance than the Scriptures reprefent them; if we adhere fo obftinately to our own opinions as to be averíe to free enquiry, and not open to conviction; if we make fo much of principles as to be Inattentive to holy practice; or if a difference in religious fentiments deftroy or damp our benevolence to the perfons of thofe from whom we differ; in any of thefe cafes, we are fubject to the charge of bigotry. But we may confider a belief of certain doctrines as neceffary to falvation without coming under any part of the above de(cription. We may be attached to these doctrines, not becaufe we have already imbibed them, but, on account of their appearing to us to be revealed in the Scriptures, we may give them only that proportion and degree of importance, in our views of things which they occupy there; we may be fo far friends to fiee enquiry as impartially to fearch the Scriptures, to fee whether these things are fo, and fo open to conviction as to relinquith our fentiments when they are proved unfcriptural. We may be equally attached to practical godliness as to the principles on which it is founded; and, notwithstanding our ill opinions of the religious fentiments of men, and our apprehenfions on the danger of their condition, we may yet bear good-will to their perfons, and with for nothing more than an opportunity of promoting their welfare, both for this life and that which is to come" (pp. 193, 194). Mr. F. concludes this letter with a perfect concurrence in opinion with Dr. Priestley's exprellion: "I could overlook every thing in a man who I thought meant nothing but my everlasting welfare. This, and nothing elfe, is the temper of mind I have been endeavouring to defend; and, as Dr. Priestley has here generously acknowleged the propriety of it, it becomes us to acknowlege, on the other hand, that every fpecies of zeal for fentiments in which a concern for the everlafting welfare of men is wanting, is an unhallowed kind of fire, for which, whoever indulges it, will receive little thanks from him whofe caufe they imagine themselves to have efpoufed" (p. 208). Our limits do not admit of our following Mr. F. through the whole chain of his arguments. But we must infert his concluding reflections: "Firft, If that fyftem which embraces the deity and atonement of Chrift, with other corre fpondent do&rines, be friendly to a life of fobriety, righteoufnefs, and godliness, then it is of God; and it becomes us to abide by it, not becaufe it is the doctrine of Calvin, or any other man, who is uniafpired, but as being the Gospel which we have received from Chrift and his Apofles, wherein we ftand, and whereby we are faved. Secondly, If that fyftem of religion, which rejects the deity and atonement of Chrift, with other correfpondent doctrines, be unfriendly to the converfion of finners to a life of ho'inefs, and of profeffed unbelievers to faith in Chrift; if it be a fyftem which irreligious men are the firft, and ferious Chriflians the laft, to embrace; if it be found to relax the obligations to virtuous affection and behaviour, by relaxing the great ftandard of virtue itself; if it promote neither love to God in his true character, nor benevolence to men as it is exemplified in the fpirit of Chrift and his Apofiles; if it lead thofe who embrace it to be wile in their own eyes, and, inftead of liberally deprecating God's righteous difp'effure, even in their dying moments, arrogantly to challenge his juftice; if the charity it inculcates be founded in indifference to divine truth; if it be inconfiftent with an ardent love to Chrift, or veneration for the Holy Scriptures; if the happiness which it promotes be at variance with the joy of the Gospel; finally, if it diminish the motives to gratitude, obedience, and heavenly-mindednefs, and have a natural tendency to infidelity, then it is an immoral system, and, confequently, is not of God. It is not the Gofpel of Chrift, but another Gospel. Thafe who preach it preach another Jefus, whom the Apostles did not preach; and thofe who receive it, receive another Spirit, which they never imbibed. It is not a light which cometh from above, but a cloud of darkness that has ariten from beneath, tending to eclipfe it. It is not the highway of truth, which is a way of holinfs, but a bye-path of error, which fleads the unwary traveller, and of which, as we value our inmoft interefts, it behoves us to beware. We need not be afraid of exidence or free enquiry, if irreligious men be the firit, and ferious Chriftians the laft, who embraced the Socinian fyftem. It is eafy to perceive that the avenues which lead to it are not, as its abettors would perfuade you to think, an opennefs to conviction, or a free and impar tial enquiry, but a beart secretly disaffect ed to the character and government of God and dijatisfied with the gospel-way of jaivation" (pp. 222, 223). 253. Hiftorical View of Devonshire. In Five Volumes. Vol. I. By Mr. Polwhele, of Pol whele, in Cornwall. Exeter, 1793. 8vo. IN the proposals circulated for a Hif tory of Devonshire, by Mr. Polwhele, without a date, but really 1789, he offers the work in one volume folio, or two in quarto, for tavo guineas; volume or part the firf to contain, book I. a general defcription of the county, its natural hiftory, &c.; book II. a furvey of towns, principal buildings, &c.; book III. hiftorical events; volume or part II. in three books, the East, South, and North divifions of the county; appendix, containing a lift of parishes, theriffs, genealogi cal tables, family papers, notes, &c. &c. In a circular letter in our Magazine for May, 1789, p. 411, it was judged expedient to extend the work to two volumes folio, each two guineas, to which he then had 200 fubfcribers. It was natural to conclude that the whole of the plan would be comprifed in these two volumes, or that Mr. Polwhele's fubfcribers would have received from him, fome way or other, an intimation that they could not be compreffed into them. But he had already informed them, that compreffion was not fo eafy as dilatation; and, in proof of his obfervation, he proceeds to take of them thirty fillings more, at five feveral intalments, for "Historical views of the inhabitants of Danmonium, in the British, Roman-Britifb, Saxo-Danish, Norman-Saxon, and Saxo-Lancaftrian-Yorkifb periods, and thofe of the Rebellion and Refloration. Thefe," he obferves, " do not interfere in the leaft with the main undertaking, yet will probably be deemed a repofitory of curious notices, Here may be introduced at large a multiplicity of papers, to which references only can be made in the Hiftory; and here he may be at liberty to throw out conjectures on fub- jets of antiquity, and fubmit to confide ration a variety of points that seem ambiguous, but which, when elucidated, may be worthy attention for the larger work." Accordingly, the first period opens with a difcuffion, by a correfpondent, of the very paffage of the Saxon Chronicle which was difcuffed in our vol. LXI. pp. 1120, 1207, LXII. 238, but not to Mr. P's fatisfaction, who perfifts in his opinion, that the first inhabitants of Bri tain came from Armenia, inftead of Armorica; and then, on the authority of this various reading of this fingle MS, contends, that the Saxon Chronicle plainly intimates that the inhabitants, who fettled first in the South or South west W of parts of Britain, came a long voyage by fed We cannot conceive why the interefting part of thefe five volumes was incorporated into the larger work, infead of being dealt out to fubfcribers at ix fhillings each, in a type and on a paper calculated to deter them from reading them, and unworthy the promifed execution of the larger volumes Mr. P. accompanies the fir period with a profpe&tus, from which we learn that the fift volume of the Hitory will conGift of the Introduction and Natural Hiftory, in Pica type. Antiquities, from the British to the Saxon period-typ: English. General Hifiory, from the Saxon period to the prefent times-type Creat Primer. Into this volume, we conceive, the five quartos might fairly have been incorporated. Vol II. or the fir part of the choregraphical furvey of the county, containing the diocefe and archdeaconry of Exetur. in Great Frimer, is completely printed. But, "as all the views as yet engraved for the three volumes are to be inferted in the fecond volume, now printed," and Mr. P. is urgent to have as many plates given to the work as he can, the engravings may retard publication. It (i. c. the fecond volume) will be deIvered to the fubjcribers as foon as the engraver produces the plates. We might object, that the delivering all the plates together is not for the author's intereft; for too many of his readers, when they have gratified their cunolity with pretty pictures, may think no more about the remainder of a dry county-history. This, however, will, in great meature, depend on the execution of the plates; the choice of which, from the lift given in the pro fpetus, dated Exeter, July, 1793, appears to have been well made, as far as we can judge without having feco the original Zubje&t. The whole number is 142, of which near 90 are drawn and reap for the engraver, 20 actually engraved, two in the engraver's hands, 11 engaged to be di ne, and near '20 of which cutting is faid. Confidering the unav jakhie delay of engraving, the expectations of Mr. P's fubfcribers (and of the publick at large), though he has * We Reviewers, with the largest candles we can afford, have almost put our eyes out to make the prefent extracts, and are really afraid of reading the first volume through. pledged himfelf never to raise the price (which was fixed at four guineas for two volumes), even though the work were enlarged, and repeats at the end of his profpectus, “the abole fubscription for the Hiftory of Devon, in three volumes, is-four guineas," have vet a long term, during which they will be kept in fufpence. After the long train of difficulties he has had to encounter, "they," he fays, "may be fufficiently affured, that, for the future, no common difappointments, no difficulties, no diftrelles, though they may fufpend the work, can ever induce him to abandon it. The toil of collecting, and the irkfomeness of arranging papers, are nearly over. What remains to be performed is chiefly in the line of compofition; and, if the publick be not foon in poffeffion of the whole Hiftory, the delay, I trust, will not be attributed to its author, after this diffute explanation of his precenfions and views." 264. An Fay towards a History of Bideford, in the County of Devon. Exeter, 1792. 8vo. MR. John Watkins, the author of this modest performance, tells us, that it "originated in the intention of giving fume imal afifiance to the prefent ingenious hiftorian of Devonshire. After he had collected a few marer.ais for an acfriends, to whom nothing could, with count of this parith, fome refpeciable propriety, be denied, intimated a with, that the account thould appear in a feparate form. With their defires he chearfully complied, and therefore began to give the work fuch a degree of body as would be neceflary to render it an inlar, are, in confequence, added to he dependent publication. Many particuaccount, and a variety of digreffive ob fervations and reflations made, which, though proper enough in its prefent fare, wou'd not have been fo if it were thrown together into the general history of the county. Neither the town, nor its neighbourhood, afford much matter for the exercite of a learned topographer. The characters of a tew noted men in this day are treated with fuch hiftoric plainnefs as may, perhaps, give a momentary offence to fome who may conti. der themfelves concerned in what is faid of them. Let it then be duly obferved here, before the work is read, that the *He published, 1789, three fermons of Mr. James Hervey, with an account of him while curate at Bideford, 1738-1744 truth truth is principally required in every kind of narrative, fo to the truth I have fcrupulously adhered. If men of note did evil in days of old, History records their examples, not invidioufly, but as warnings. On perfons of the prefent day I wish not to bestow an uncandid reflection; and no leader will find fuch in the pages before him.-Labours now of a higher magnitude, and of a far more extensive range; demand my careful attention and moft active exertion. But there is one fatisfaction animates my bofom in the midst of all that, whether approved or difapproved, ftill the off. fpring of my literary purfuits will be the refult of an upright intention, and an carneft defire to do good in my gene ration." -- Mr. W. derives the name from the Saxon, B1, fituation, and Ford, a fhallow place in a river, that may be eafily paled over. Should not he have added an intermediate term, the, de, whence de in Bi de ford, q. d. By the ford? He complains of its being inaccurately fpelt, with a double d, "in the late extenlive and very expenfive edition of Camden's Britannia." Spaking of its right to fend reprefentatives to parlament, he fays, p. 17, "The band of Time has moulded the infitation into the strong ft barrier of the rights of every order of men; and, to be a British fenator is an honour with which no civil distinction can ftand in competition. Much has been faid on the fubject of unequal reprefentation; but it fhould be confidered that the liberties of this country are not fo much concerned in the local powers of fending members as in having a Houfe of Commons difalvable wabin a limited time. They who compofe this ambly, let their nominal conftituents be who they may, are the delegates of the whole nation, and the guardians of the rights of the whole community. The moment of their meeting they are the reprefentarives of the peopic at large, and not of a particular body or place. They ferve the ration, and are accountable to it." The town is plea'antiy and picturefiquely fituated on both fides of the river Torridge, about three parts of it on the flope of a pretty fleep hill on the Weft fide of the river, and the other at the bottom of an hull on the oppofite fide. It owes much of its prosperity to the charter of incorporation granted by Qu. Elizabeth, 1575, confirmed and enlarged by James I. 1610. The parish extends three miles, contains 527 houses, in cluding 15 farms, and near 2800 inhabitants, and has a market on Tuesday. Mr, W. is a faunch but impartial Rovalift, who diftinguishes between what he calls the capricious oppreffions of the Stuarts and the perpetual arbitrary exactions, the confequences of the national debt, that dates its commencement after the Revolution (p. 36), and between cant rebellion and monarchy and true religion, mifcalled tyranny and fuperftition. In the last century the King's party get early poffeffion of Bideford, and, in confequenes of this fuccefs, obtained Exeter alfo. This town remained perfectly neutral to the end of the war; and, 1646, was vifited with a plague, which carried off, between June and January, 229, exclufive of those not entered in the reg:fter. "Thus the fpirit of Rebellion was followed by the levereft mark of Heaven's difpleasure; and that crime, which is, perhaps, the greateft at of atrocity, received, as its retribution, the highest of all teinporal pu nifhments" (p. 43). In 1682 threa poor women of this town were executed at Exeter as witches, the lat under the abominable flatute erated against the fuppoled crimes of forcery and witchCraft. The Duke of Monmouth found fome partizans here in 1685, and they lu the porter porter of wool from Spain. The town carried on a confiderable trade with Holland, France, and the Mediterranean, and derived much benefit from the revocation of the edict of Nantes. The trade with America ceated about 1774 or 5 The coafting-trade with Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, cicßy in oak-bark, is now the principal employment of a bout 100 veliels belonging to this port. The commutation-act, in 1784, has not completely put an end to the nefarious practice of fmuggling fpirituous liquors. The manufactures of Bideford are flanneis and ferges, and an excellent fort of earthen-warc. Mr. W. has not difcovered to what faint the church was dedicated. Mr. Bacon fays to St. Mary. It is very well attended, both on Sundays and weekdays. In the civil war the font was thrown out, and converted to a hogtrough. The Granville family have a wault, in which Sir Richard the admiral's lady was buried, 1623, and Sir Thomas Granville has a monument, with his effigy, 1513. Here is an infeription to Mr. Join Strange, merchant, of this town, four times ma ol, a man of an excelent character, compisted by his benevolent exertions during the plague. To the olden rector known, Richard de Gornaro, or Gurney, the town are indeinco, in great meafure, for their bridge. The cafe of Mr. Giffard, retter, difplaced in 164, is truly piteous, and well difcuiled. Qu. was he of the family enquired after by M. Polwhele, in our voi. LXII. p. 492? rectors have been Succeeding Nathaniel Eaton, 16-4. Michael Opi bv, 1674-1699. Chitopher B oforn, dyed 1723. George Nichel, died 1741. Jonn Wanted, vied 1763. Whism Smith, prefeat rector. The account of church, or, more properly, the meeting, at bidetord, is drawn up by the late reverend, learn ed, and celebrated Mr. Badcock." By a frange fatality of human, nature, two dillating-minifters in this town were altered with the breaches of 1121d mo rainy, as was Mr. Badcock himfelf in the county. The congregation divided in.o two, 1698, and the feceders became extiner, and ther meeting-houte was pulled down, 1760. The bridge, Imppoted to be built about 13:0. is the largest in the county, and counts of 24 arches. A view and account of it, og Mr. Donne, may be feen in our vol. XXI. for July, 1751. It is fupported by funds ariling from lands managed by feoffees. Here is alfo a long and handfome quay, belonging to the corporation, but at prefent in the hands of the lord of the manor. The town is endowed with feveral confiderable charitable benefactions. Here is a free giammar-fchool, the first mafter of which on record was the learned Zachary Mudge, a free writing fchool, and a Sundayfchool. The Granville family were lords of the manor from the Conqueft, and affifted in the conquest of Wales, when they were fettled at Neath, in Glamorganshire. Vice-admiral Sir Richard Granville, before-mentioned, loft his life in an engagement with the Spanifh fleet, 1591. His grandfon, Sir Bevil, loft his at Lanfdown, 1643; and kis fecond ton, John, was one of the first agents in the Restoration, and was created, 1661, Earl of Bath, Vilcount Lanfdown, Baron Bideford, &c. George, fecond fon of Bernard, the fourth fon of the great Sir Bevil, was created Vifcourt Landown Baron Bideford, by patent, 1711. George firft Lord Carteret married an heirets of this family. Granville Marquis of Stafford is lineally defcended from this family, which has now no property here. Among the natives or refidents of Bi deford the moft diftinguished are, Mr. Strange, before-mentioned, Lewis Stucley, chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and his fon Thomas, a curious character, celebrated, in the Letters on the English Nation, by Dr. Shcbbeare, who was himfelt a native of this town. The ninth and concluding chapter is an abstract of the trial of the witches. 265. The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D. &c. &c In Three Volumes. The Second Edition, revifed and corrected. By Jamies Botwell, Ejq. quently given of this popular publicaAFTER the opinion we have fo fretion, and the copious remarks on it by a variety of correfpondents, we are not at all furprized that, before we had concluded our review of the quarto, the octavo has overtaken us; which is thus introduced: work which had employed much of my "That I was anxious for the fuccefs of a time and labour, I do not wifh to conceal ; bat, whatever doubts I at any time entertained, they have been entirely removed by the very favourable reception with which it has been honoured. That reception has excited my |