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ment were such as to exclude youths | Mr. Burke, in his famous "Reflections

of little property from enjoying the benefits of the foundation; and as to eleemosynary tuition, it was out of the question altogether. Again, the burden attached to the preceptorial chairs soon became too heavy for the very learned persons who filled those situations; especially as the salaries and perquisites were far from proving an adequate remuneration for the sacrifice of so much time and labour. In the endowed schools and colleges connected with the established church, the masters and professors are made easy, by the assurance, that their latter days will be rendered comfortable, by a provision legally secured for them. They are further stimulated to perseverance by the prospect of advancement in the church; few instances having occurred, in which the conductors of great schools, after spending some years in the honourable discharge of their painful office, have been passed over without some promotion. But in the present case, the tutors at Hackney were doomed to incessant fatigue, without the least chance of realizing a fund for their future support.

Every thing here was capricious; and the instability of the fabric soon became apparent in the declension of subscribers, the paucity of scholars, and the secession of instructors. Dr. Kippis, who was now far advanced in years, left Hackney to be near his congregation in Westminster; and Dr. Priestley, who, after his settlement as the successor of Dr. Price, had taken an active part in the management of the college, quitted the kingdom in disgust, to end his days in America. Thus Dr. Rees, having now passed the meridian of life, was left almost alone, surrounded with difficulties, oppressed by labours, and perplexed by anxieties. It should also be observed, that the period was remarkably gloomy, and the aspect of the times very unfavourable to an institution of this description. The horrors of the French revolution had filled the minds of many dissenters, as well as of other members of the community, with the dread of witnessing similar scenes in England. The political sentiments avowed by Dr. Price, in his famous revolutionary sermon, increased the apprehension; and the advantage taken of that discourse by

on the French Revolution," spread the alarm from one end of the kingdom to the other; insomuch, that numbers, whose doctrinal opinions coincided with those inculcated at Hackney, drew back from countenancing the academical establishment there, lest they should be suspected of republicanism.

Further than this, it cannot be denied, that the religious principles of the dissenters, speaking of them as a general body, were now undergoing a very material change; or rather, reverting fast to the doctrinal standard of the old Puritans and Nonconformists. About the time when the college at Hackney was projecting, some writers of powerful intellect had accused the dissenters with having abandoned the faith of their forefathers. This occasioned some warm discussion; and particular congregations, in various districts, were adduced as proofs that the principles of the dissenters remained the same.

In reply, it was observed, that these insulated societies were so far from furnishing a refutation of the charge, that, on the contrary, they strengthened and proved it; especially when it appeared, that the fountains of knowledge were entirely under the direction of Arians or Socinians. The agitation of this question was far from being favourable to the New College at Hackney; and while the institution was in this stage of decay, the death of Dr. Kippis put an end to it entirely.

On this melancholy loss, Dr. Rees preached a sermon at the meeting in the Old Jewry; in which discourse he drew the character of Dr. Kippis very ably, and then concluded as follows:

"Such are the general outlines of the character and labours of our deceased friend. The portrait, I am sensible, is not sufficiently just to the original. In delineating a character which exhibits so many excellencies, and so few defects, none can suspect me of approaching to adulation. My respect for him was great. I honoured him as a father. I loved him as a brother. But my affection, I am confident, has not misled my judgment. By the favour of Providence, which marks the bounds of our habitation, I was led in early life into an intimate acquaintance with him. Our acquaintance, as co-tutors and coadjutors in

public business, ripened into an estab- was led to conceive the idea of a more lished friendship; and our friendship comprehensive and general dictionary continued, without so much as a mo- of science. Having formed his plan, mentary interruption, and with in- he quitted the counter, to devote himcreasing attachment, for more than self entirely to the execution of his thirty-two years, to the day of his project, and in 1728 appeared the first death. It must have been my own edition of the Cyclopædia, in two fofault, if I have not derived advantage lio volumes, dedicated to the king. from his extensive literary knowledge, The reputation which the author gainfrom the wisdom of his counsels, and ed by this performance, procured his from the exemplariness of his conduct. | election into the Royal Society; and No apology, I trust, will be thought in 1738 a new edition came out, which necessary for introducing myself on sold so rapidly, that the very next this occasion. As it was my ambition year a third impression was called for; to cultivate the friendship I enjoyed, which was almost as quickly followed it is my pride to have it publicly by a fourth in 1741; and a fifth in known, that I valued that friendship 1746. After this, and while a sixth as one of the chief honours and plea-edition was in contemplation, the prosures of my life. The friend I have lost cannot be easily replaced."

Having thus brought the history of this short-lived, but once noted, institution to a termination; we must now notice the literary career of Dr. Rees, which many probably will be disposed to regret, with us, was ever so interrupted.

About the year 1776 or 1777, the proprietors of Chambers's Cyclopædia having been disappointed in procuring a qualified person to superintend a new edition of that important and valuable compilation, were recommended to employ Dr. Rees, who undertook the Herculean labour; and in the course of the following year, the first weekly number made its appearance. The publication took up near nine years, being completed, in four folio volumes, in 1786; about which time, the learned editor was chosen a member of the Royal Society. As this undertaking forms an interesting feature in the history of general literature, we trust to be excused for giving a brief sketch of the origin of the Dictionary, with some account of its improvements, and the imitations to which it has given rise.

The first performance of the kind, was the "Lexicon Technicum" of Dr. John Harris, which appeared in the year 1708, in two volumes folio; and was afterwards enlarged by a supplemental volume; the last edition being in 1735. This Dictionary possesses great merit, and may, even now, as far as relates to the mathematics, be consulted with advantage. It was by frequently consulting this work in the shop of his master, Senex, the globe-maker, that Ephraim Chambers

prietors thought it might be supplied by a supplement in two more volumes, for which purpose, Mr. George Lewis Scott, mathematical tutor to his late majesty, and the indefatigable Dr. John Hill, were selected as the compilers. In this state, the Cyclopædia continued some years, when the proprietors formed the resolution of blending the original and supplement together in one alphabet, with additions. To execute this design, Owen Ruffhead was engaged: but he had not proceeded far, when he died; and the work stood still for a considerable time. Dr. Kippis was the next person, we believe, to whom the intended new edition was intrusted; but finding the labour above his strength, he relinquished it, and was succeeded by Dr. Rees.

In the Biographia Britannica, under the article Chambers, Dr. Kippis pays this just compliment to his friend:"It would have been difficult to have found a single person more equal to the completing of the Cyclopædia than Dr. Rees; who, to a capacious mind, to a large compass of general knowledge, and an unremitting application, unites that intimate acquaintance with all the branches of mathematics and philosophy, without which the other qualifications would be ineffectual. The success of the work, thus improved, and digested into one alphabet, in four volumes folio, hath exceeded the most sanguine expectations. last and best edition of the Cyclopædia began to be published in weekly numbers in 1778, and at the time of writing this article, [1783] the third volume was finished. The sale is at the rate of four or five thousand numbers in a

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week, and the demand is continually | tegrity of mind, in the execution of it. increasing. The names, therefore, of Instead of this, they made their DicChambers and Rees will be handed tionary a vehicle for the promulgation down with great reputation to poste- of principles destructive of public and rity; the first as the original author, private happiness; but these tenets and the second as the compiler, of this are so artfully blended with practical grand undertaking." information and reasoning on scientific subjects, as to escape the observation of general readers, whose minds, without suspecting any such thing, thus become tainted, and drawn unawares to infidelity.

When the popularity of the work is considered, it is not surprising that it should give rise to imitations. The principal of these were, "Barrow's Dictionary of Arts and Sciences," in two volumes folio, 1751; "A new and complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences," in four large octavo volumes, published without a name, but compiled chiefly by Benjamin Martin, in 1763; "The Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences," by Temple Croker and others, three volumes folio, in the same year; "The Encyclopædia Britannica," originally published in 3 volumes, quarto, at Edinburgh, in 1773; and progressively extended to above twenty volumes. Since that time, the number of rival publications, in different forms, has multiplied to an amazing extent. But by far the most celebrated work of all that has hitherto arisen upon the model of Chambers, is the "Encyclopedié ou Dictionnaire Raisonné des Sciences," begun at Paris in 1743, by Diderot, with whom, soon afterwards, was associated D'Alembert; the latter a mathematician of the first order, and the other a second-rate mataphysician; but both sceptics, if not indeed positive atheists. From translating the English dictionary, they proceeded to form an entire new one, and at length procured other aid in the different branches of literature, by whose united efforts the work grew to the enormous magnitude of twenty-one folio volumes, without reckoning those which contain the plates. The third edition, in thirty-six quarto volumes, appeared at Geneva in 1779; after which, another, still more extended, was begun at Paris, the joint labour of Lalande, Condorcet, Monge, and other distinguished literary and scientific characters.

Thus the old saying, that the French invent and the English improve, was reversed; for here, the Encyclopedists were certainly the copiers of an original design; and it is only to be regretted, that, when they adopted the plan of Chambers, they did not at the same time observe the like in

Notwithstanding this radical defect in the Encyclopedié, yet, as a magazine of practical knowledge, its merits are unquestionably very great; and the success which it met with stimulated the proprietors of the English Cyclopædia, after a lapse of fourteen years, to enlarge their work in a similar manner. For this purpose, though Dr. Rees was employed to superintend the undertaking, several other persons were engaged to discuss and explain those subjects with which they were supposed, from their professional pursuits and peculiar habits, to be eminently conversant. Of this vast and expensive undertaking, we shall not here venture to enter into a critical examination; but, with respect to such voluminous compilations in general, it does appear to us, that, whether English or French, they have all departed widely from the true design of a Lexicon, which is simple utility. A dictionary of science, like that of language, should be a mere book of reference, for definition and explanation only; instead of which, the compilers of nearly all the modern Encyclopædias have, in imitation of the French illuminati, rendered their works inaccessible to the mass of the public, who stand in most need of information, by loading their collections with hypothetic dissertations on abstruse questions, details of history, and prolix treatises upon elementary subjects. Diderot himself became convinced of their incongruity, and he was well aware that the simple plan of Chambers was better than the one which had been followed as an improvement.

The conjunction also of various talents in the formation of the French Encyclopedié, though apparently of great benefit, was not without disadvantages. This also is admitted, and frankly stated, by Diderot, who says, "We had not time to be very scrupu

lous in the choice of the coadjutors. | of reference and lucid in the arrangeAmong some excellent persons, there ment. The main cause of this differwere others weak, indifferent, and ence between the two works, is asaltogether bad. Hence that motley signable to the very same error of appearance of the work, where we see which Diderot complained; and hence the rude attempt of a schoolboy by the English, like the French dictionthe side of a piece from the hand of a ary of science, exhibits a heterogenemaster; and a piece of nonsense next ous mixture of good, bad, and indifneighbour to a sublime performance. ferent articles, characteristic of the Some working for no pay, soon lost labourers, who, without a proper distheir first fervor; others badly recom- crimination, were employed from time pensed, served us accordingly. The to time in this most expensive and Encyclopedié was a gulf, into which important concern. Although Dr. all kinds of scribblers promiscuously Rees was not responsible for the defithrew their contributions; their pieces ciencies of this great undertaking, he were ill-conceived, and worse digest- certainly, in many instances, fell into ed; good, bad, contemptible, true, an awkward predicament, on account false, uncertain, and always incohe- of its excrescences; and as his name rent and unequal; the references that stood in the front of the Cyclopædia, belonged to the very parts assigned to it surprised and grieved many, that a person, were never filled up by him; the pruning knife had not been more a refutation is often found, where we freely exercised by him, in his capashould naturally expect a proof; and city of editor and reviser. there was no exact correspondence between the letter-press and the plates. To remedy this defect, recourse was had to long explications. But how many unintelligible machines were there, for want of letters to denote the parts!"

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The imperfections, thus candidly allowed to have injured the French work, have, more or less, marred almost the whole of the English Encyclopædias, in one of which we remember to have seen, under the word Farriery," a reference to "6 Horse," and, on turning to that article, were sent to the end of the alphabet, but on arriving at the classical term of "Veterinary Art;" instead of the expected information, we were directed to go back again to "Farriery," under which good old English word, not a syllable was to be found! This is not a solitary instance, for in opening some of these ponderous volumes, instead of meeting with what we want, under the appropriate head, we are very often referred backwards and forwards to nine, ten, or a dozen other articles, scattered at remote distances from each other; and yet all necessary to be read, in order to make the primary definition clear and intelligible.

The last extensive Cyclopædia of Dr. Rees is not free from this cumbersome arrangement; and herein consists one of its capital defects; which is the more remarkable, because the Doctor's edition of Chambers, in four volumes, is, in comparison, really easy

Employed, as the Doctor was, for so many years, in engagements of such a magnitude, it is not to be wondered that he should have favoured the world with comparatively but few other publications. The strength and variety of his powers must be sought for in his first and capital edition of Chambers, where will be found many valuable essays on theoretical and practical science.

In his professional character as a divine, the Doctor printed, besides the two discourses already noticed, “A Sermon on the Obligation and Importance of searching the Scriptures;" two funeral sermons, one on the death of Mr. R. Robinson of Cambridge, and the other on that of Dr. Flexman of Rotherhithe; two sermons entitled,

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Economy illustrated and recommended;" another at the opening of the chapel in Jewin-street; and two volumes of "Practical Sermons."

Throughout life, Dr. Rees never engaged in any controversy till the year 1813, when he printed an octavo pamphlet, with the title of "The Principles of Protestant Dissenters stated and vindicated." But here he may be said to have acted defensively; and it is not known that he any where appeared as an opponent, except it was in writing the article of "Polygamy," in his folio Dictionary.

Just at that time, the reverend Martin Madan, of the Lock Chapel, published his famous work, entitled, Thelypthora;" in which he maintained the position, that whosoever se

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duces a young woman, is bound by the divine law to make her his wife, even though he may be already a married man. This strange doctrine, though far from being a new one, gave general offence to serious persons of all parties, and, of course, excited a warm controversy. Dr. Rees took no other part in the dispute, than that of noticing it in strong terms, under the head of "Polygamy," in the Cyclopædia; which so irritated the thor of "Thelypthora," that he addressed"Five Letters" to the editor, whom he accused of unfair dealing, and particularly with writing criticisms on his book in the Monthly Review. Those strictures, however, were not the production of Dr. Rees, but of Mr. Samuel Badcock, one of the acutest and most learned controvertists of the day. Dr. Rees, indeed, was an occasional writer in the Monthly Review, in conjunction with Dr. Kippis, which circumstance probably led Mr. Madan to believe that the critiques upon his work proceeded from the editor of the Cyclopædia.

Dr. Rees was one of the oldest members of the Linnæan Society; and within a few months of his death, he was distinguished by being elected an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

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The Doctor was, for several years, at the head of the Presbyterian board in London, as a trustee of the fund established by Dr. Daniel Williams; and manager of the library in Redcross-st.: he was also a principal director of the Working Orphan School," in the City-road; and belonged to most of the charitable institutions belonging to the Dissenters. In his politics, he was a Whig upon principle; but though firmly attached to the cause of civil and religious liberty, he was a decided enemy to faction, and never engaged in the contentions of parties. In his theological opinions, he followed the Unitarians of the old school, and, like his friend Dr. Price, believed the preexistence of Christ, though he denied the doctrine of his essential divinity.

Dr. Rees suffered a severe loss in 1798, by the death of his son, Mr. Philip Lewis Rees, in a consumption, at the age of twenty-two. The Doctor's health had long been very vigorous, and his activity uncommon, till a few months before his dissolution, which event took place June 9, 1825.

APHORISMS, EXTRACTED FROM THE WRITINGS OF THE REV. R. HALL.

(Continued from col. 696.) 15.-Popery-a heap of unmeaning ceremonies, adapted to fascinate the imagination, and engage the senses; implicit faith in human authority, combined with the utter neglect of divine teaching; ignorance the most profound, joined to dogmatism the most presumptuous; a vigilant exclusion of biblical knowledge, together with a total extinction of free inquiry; present the spectacle of religion lying in state, surrounded with the silent pomp of death.

16.-Ignorance gives a sort of eternity to prejudice, and perpetuity to

error.

17. Though there may be many rich, many virtuous, many wise men, fame must necessarily be the portion of but few.

18. The humility of a noble mind scarcely dares to approve of itself, until it has secured the approbation of others.

19. The portion of time and attention mankind are willing to spare from their avocations and pleasures, to devote to the admiration of each other, is so small, that every successful adventurer is felt to have impaired the public stock.

20.-Extended benevolence is the last and most perfect fruit of the private affections.

21.--As the object of worship will always be, in a degree, the object of imitation, hence arises a fixed standard of moral excellence; by the contemplation of which, the tendencies to corruption are counteracted, the contagion of bad example is checked, and human nature rises above its level.

22.-Domestic society is the seminary of social affections, the cradle of sensibility, where the first elements are acquired of that tenderness and humanity which cement mankind together; and which, were they entirely extinguished, the whole fabric of social institutions would be dissolved.

23.-Religion is the final centre of repose; a goal to which all things tend, which gives to time all its importance, to eternity all its glory; apart from which, man is a shadow, his very existence a riddle; and the stupendous scenes which surround him, as incoherent and unmeaning as

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