nymous writer, in a letter dated from Chelfea, that Dr. Jothua Webiter, M. D. is the author of the poem, which has been generally, though not at its firft publication, entitled "The Beggar's Petition;" and fo circumftantial is the account which he gives, both in regard to time, to places, and to names, that his opinion, as a primâ facie evidence, would almost induce an uninformed perfon to believe it authentic and decifive. But, if we examine the letter of this writer a little more minutely, it will appear, that the only reafon on which he grounds his afiertion is, that Dr. Webfter has in his poffeflion a drawing, in water-colours, of an aged mendicant, with the faid poem affixed to it in manufcript; which, it must be confefled, is a very curious reafon for a very curious affertion, because, for the very fame reafon, the, tendency of his letter would have been as applicable to 20 other perfons as to Dr. Webfter. But the truth is, that Dr Webster had not the leaft concern in the compofition of that little poem; and, whatever may be its merits, or whatever honour may on that account attach to the real author of it, I can confidently affirm, that it is the entire production of the Rev. Tho. Mofs, minifter of Brierly-hill, and of Trentham, in Staffordshire; and I have his authorityfurther today, that he wrote it at about the age of 23, that he fold the manufcript of that, and of feveral others, to Mr. Smart, printer, in Wolverhampton, who, from the dread which Mr. Mots had of criticism, was to publish them on this condition, that only 20 copies fhould have his name annexed to them, that thefe copies should be prefented to his relations and friends, and that they may now, if thought neceffary, be feen at any time.

I think it proper however here to obferve, that the poem, as printed by Dr. Enfield in his Speaker, and from which moft of the copies in circulation are literally taken, is GENT. MAG. January, 1800.

The author ufed the expreffion, fream of tears, and not flood of tears; which, in his opinion, is not only lefs harmonious, but abfolutely improper, becaufe it is faid before, And many a furrow in my grief-worn check Has been the channel to a fream of tears. And it is well-known, that foods do not flow in channels, though the fame cannot be faid of fireams: but, befides this, the alteration offtreaming to flood does, as it feems to the author, entirely deftroy the beauty of the fentiment, becaufe the word flood implies that the Beggar's grief arofe merely from a fudden impulfe, as a flood arifes from a fudden fhower, and foon subsides; but the word fream implies that his grief was filent and lafting. The author wrote,

Here, craving for a mortel of their bread; which he thinks runs fmoother than, as Dr. Enfield expreffes it,

Here as I crav'd a morfel of their bread. } The author wrote, but the word drove, as uted by Dr. A pamper'd Menial forc'd me from the door; Enfield, is a downright vulgarifin, and carries with it the horrid idea that the Beggar was treated with fome kind of feverity.

The latt alteration is: inftead of Should I reveal the fource of every grief, Dr. Enfield fays,

Should I reveal the fources of my grief. But, whether this is any real improvement to the line, I muft leave to those who are better judges than myfelf to determine. If any further information fhould be thought neceffary for the conviction of your correfpondent, it may be had from the Rev. Tho. Mois, minifter of Trentham, Yours, &c.

Mr.

1

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 8. HAVE always confidered your valuable publication as an impartial vehicle of public opinion; and as of much iinportance, not only" in shooting folly as it flies," in remarking the frivolous fashions of the day, but in giving weight and dignity to thofe fentiments of Religion and Virtue which form the bafis of man's prefent hopes, as well as of his future expectations. Every ferious perfon, during the aweful conteft which now agitates the world, will furely endeayour to curb the licentious fallies which have produced, and ftill continue, the confufion. Nay, he will do more he will exert himfelf to rectify a falfe opinion when it comes from an unfufpected quarter. The beft of men may not always be confcious of the ill that arifes from an injudicious treatment even of a good fubject; he may not fee that a wily obferver is taking advantage of his mildnefs, and deriving an apology for his profligacy, for his infidelity, from thofe arguments which were intended to refute it. Time was, when vice was called by its proper name. Let it be fo now; for, the world never more required it.

These remarks, perhaps, will not be found unappropriate, if you will oblige me by inferting the following obfervations on the Life of D'Alembert in a late publication, intituled "General Biography," &c. The authors of that work are men of much estimation in the literary world. It is for that reafon that the reader fhould be guarded in its perufal.

The early ftudies of D'Alembert were directed to theology; and he compofed a commentary on St. Paul's Epiftle to the Romans. Being unacquainted with the commentary, I cannot judge of its execution. My bufinefs is with the biographer's reflection. "His penetrating intellect found more fatisfaction in the demonftrative reafoning of mathematicians, than in the vague difputations of theological controverfialifts.". It argues

little in favour of the observation, that, at ten years of age, the fchoolmafter declared he had nothing farther to teach the pupil, when the pupil engaged very early in life in the futile controverfy be tween the followers of Janfenius and the Jefuits. Mere theological controverfy, or difputes about words of which neither party are agreed in the definition, like controverfies of all other defcriptions, is too frequently acrimonious and unprofitable. But it does not at all follow, that all theological refearch is to be termed vague difputations: neither does it become a member of any religious congregation to place mathematical, in oppofition to moral or theological, demonftration. Perhaps no obfervation leads with greater certainty to the doleful regions of fcepticifin and doubt. Without interfering with the accuracy of mathematical truth, the believers in Revelation have a more fure word of prophecy and information, which the most acute mathematician cannot pretend to poffefs. truth of numbers may reach a point beyond which human reafon cannot pafs: the truth of Revelation, like the penetrating fun-beam, flathes conviction on the foul, and opens to our view the profpect of Eternity.

The

Before I confider the biographer's obfervation on D'Alembert as an Encyclopædift, let me remark how coolly (is not that too moderate a word, Mr. Urban?) he speaks of thofe principles which, for 10 years paft, have defolated a neighbouring country. Without being an advocate for the former, any more than for the latter Gallic tyranny, I truft I fhall have credit for depreciating the dangerous fyftem of Equality; fuch equality as the French have vainly endeavoured to establish.— "His memoirs of Chriftina queen of Sweden is a mafterly piece of biographical writing. In this work the author fhews that he understood the natural rights of mankind, and that he had the courage to affert them.”

As

As if this were not fufficient, the biographer brings the evidence of a lady of high rank to bear teftimony againft her peers and herself. Hearing the author accufed of having exaggerated the defpotifm of the great in his Efay on the Alliance between the learned and the great, "if he had confulted me," the faid Smartly, "I could have told him ftill more of the matter." This is common declamation. In fome inftances it may be true, in many falfe. But, furely, it deferves not, in a character of refpectability, fo placid an acquiefcence. And, when we confider it as giving countenance to the propagation of fuch opinions, as occafion the foot to say to the head, I have no need of thee, we cannot be too earnest in denouncing the innovating principle.

As D'Alembert's theological ftudies gave place to his mathematical; fo these in turn are confidered as of inferior importance to his philofophy. Hear the biographer: "While D'Alembert confined himself chiefly to his mathematical ftudies, he remained in comparative obfcurity: as foon, however, as he embarked in the great defign of publishing an Encyclopædia, he attracted a large fhare of public attention; and, with fome obloquy, on account of the freedom of feveral articles of the work, obtained, as he proceeded, high reputation." Too well is D'Alembert known as one of the authors of this work; too well have his pernicious doctrines fucceeded in the world. What shall we say, then, to a relater of his life, who merely obferves on this ocoafion, that, in the midft of much praife, he met with fome obloquy? Why does he not hold out the friendly beacon to warn others from approaching thofe rocks where fo many have been fhipwrecked? This obloquy, by the biographer's account, afterwards rofe to a ferment; and he thinks that "the odium which had fallen upon him might have furnished a good reafon for feeking a peaceful afylum in the

court of a philofophical prince." The hiftory of Frederic and his friend's falls not under my prefent difcuffion. The reader will find enough, perhaps he may think too much, upon the fubject, in the Abbé Baruel's Hiftory of Jacobinifiu.

As an academician, D'Alembert falls not below the reputation he had acquired. "His influence in the academy of fciences, and above all in the French academy, of which he was fecretary, gave importance to his character." This paffage I fhall beg leave to confront with one from the Abbé Baruel. "Formerly the very fufpicion of irreligion was fufficient to exclude a man from the academy; by the intrigues of D' Alembart it was gradually brought about, that nearly the whole number was made up of philofophifts, and their rewards were given only to thofe who could add the claim of impiety to the other merits they might pollels. So far was this carried, that a M. Beauzet, a layman, but a fincere Chriftian, who was one of the 40 members, once afked D'Alembert, how they came to admit him among them? D'Alembert anfwered without hefitation, I am fentible that this must seem aftonishing to you; but we wanted a kilful grammarian; and among our party not one had acquired a reputation in this line. We know that you believe in God; but, being a good fort of man, we caft our eyes upon. you, for want of a philofopher to supply your place.

The eafy and familiar manner of D'Alembert, as a man of wit and talents, is called in as an auxiliary to diffuse the principles of the fociety. Study," fays Voltaire to D'Alembert, "to crush the wretch." I only aik five or fix bon mots a day'; and that will be enough. He never will recover it. Laugh, Democritus, and make me laugh; and our caufe will triumph." Abbé Baruel;

In fumming up the character of his fubject, the biographer, without decidedly mentioning one fault, has the following paffage: "Though

"Though his enemies called him the Magazin of literature; candour requires us to believe that he owed his influence lefs to artful management and fupple addrefs, than to the eftrem which his talents and virtues infpired. His averfion to fuperftition and pricftcraft carried him, it is true, into the region of Infidelity; and his enmity to the Jefuits and the Clergy produced in him a degree of hoftility against the Religion of his country, which fometimes obliged even the philofopher Frederic to read him a leflon of moderation. The eccentricity of his opinions did not, however, deftroy the virtues of his heart."-Alas! is Infidelity cenfured merely as an ecCentricity of opinion? and is it ferioufly imagined that it will not deStroy the virtues of the heart? When we have paufed over this reflection, how muft we fhudder at the folJowing fentence! " Many young people, who difcovered talents for learning and fcience, found in him a patron and a guide." This paffage will be read more feelingly when we recollect the confeffion of Le Roy [Abbé B.], a fellow-member with D'Alembert of the fecret academy which met weekly at the houfe of Baron Holbach at Paris. The most of thofe books," he faid," which have appeared against religion, morals, and governinent, were ours rs;" and he added, "I fhall die of grief and remorfe."

What Voltaire thought of his friends on his death-bed, let Abbé B. once more relate, Then it was that D'Alembert, Diderot, and about 20 others of the confpirators who had befet his apartment, approached him but to witness their own ignominy; and often he would curfe them, and exclaim, "Retire it is you, that have brought me to this prefent ftate. Begone: I could have done without you all, but you could not exift without me; and what a wretched glory you have procured me!"

Yet, Mr. Urban, after all that is here related, and much more that is

well authenticated, the biographer calmly difmiffes the philofopher from this mortal scene, merely by faying, that "he expired, leaving behind him the reputation of amiable virtues and eminent talents." If the latter were his portion (which I do not deny), ah! how dreadful to use them to an unworthy purpofe! If the former-what ihall we fay of his avowed infidelity? or how does the expreflion quadrate with the deftruction of one altar and one throne, when it was the evident purpofe of D'Alembert and his affociates to reduce to the fame fatal level every altar, even of the pureft worship, every throne, even of the beft-conftituted governments?

If the editor of this piece of biography fhould fay, (as the Monthly Reviewers have done for him, Nov. 1799), that infidelity was not the general tenor of D'Alembert's publications; and that his religious or antireligious tenets but little interest the inveftigator of his mathematical and other philofophical labours, or the reader of his compofitions on fubjects of general literature: I anfwer, that these were not the only fubjects which D'Alembert chose to difcufs; and therefore, as an apology for this long letter, I conclude in the words of the benevolent old man in Terence, which are not the lefs true for being often repeated: "Homą fum: humani nihil à me alienum puto." J. B.

fuch a diforder as he cannot find a certain cure for.-Uncommon his wants, it he cannot here fee a supply offered.-Faftidious, if he can not, at least, pick up fome a

mufement.

I do not pretend that this obfervation is new. It has been offered to the publick with thofe powers of wit and humour, to which I have no pretence, As, however, I do not remember to have feen any thing of the fort very lately, will you allow me to try whether I can furnith five minutes amulement to any of your readers. It will at least tend to remove the tedium which I now feel myfelf.

"The King's true honey water for cleaning and fweetening the hair, leaving a refreshing perfume behind-removes the greafy furface peculiar to fome hair"-conveys an information which may be very agreeable to ladies of a certain defeription. Query, however, which is preferable, the tickinefs of the honey, or the greafinefs of the hair? [Johnson's Dictionary not being in the house, another query may be fuperadded as to flickinejs being a word. ]

"Mr. Brown, P. L. L. S. M. C. S. L. M. L. P. S. member of the phyfical focieties of St. Bartholomew's and Guy's Hofpitals, &c."Will any of your medical readers be fo good to put the above portion of the alphabet into English, and tell us what phyfical focieties of thofe hofpitals are established, and where they meet.

A lady defires to establish a Jeminary for young ladies; differing from the ufual mode." See Virgil's Georgics, iii. 272.

Horfes abound, which are without exception the handfomeft, beit put together, plealanteft, fafeft, freeft from all vice, flynefs, and blemith-of all colours-a dapplegrey offered at half the liveryftables in London, juft come froin C. to Piccadilly-galloways-for ladies-timid old gentlemen who ride 5 miles an hour, young gentlemen

who ride from 10 to 20-All weights from 10 to 20 ftone, &c. &c.

"A friend to man cures diforders (which he does not name) without medicine, lotion, or injection; without change of diet, or manner of living without altcration in habit of body, countenance, or complexion."-Surely a very pleafant Doctor this muft be!

The Wine Company, too modeft to give any names, fell Port at 27s, which you cannot buy elfewhere under 30s. and fome other wines in the fame proportion; but are true Antigallicans, no French wine in their cellars-or garrets.

"The accident which befel the Queen," we had not heard of before.

Healthy young women and fmart active footmen, offer themfelves to thofe gentlemen and ladies who have occafion for their different fervices.-And in the fame column there is a call for-footmen for ladies, willing to do all work; and cooks and houfemaids for single gentlemen equally willing. -A gentlemanwants amiftrefs; a gentlewoman, more modeft, withes to find a friend.—Mr. Gardner, who cures all complaints, complains that a perfon calling himself Dr. Gardner fells fpurious medicines.— Mr. G's great object is to relieve the poor. This will be easily believed, as his advertisements are manifeftly for his own benefit.Money for Annuities. Mr. A. Mr. B. Mr. C. &c. &c. have each of them, always, 10,000, or 100,000 pounds (ano makes no difference) to lend to widows, young heirs, &c. on the most moderate terms, are all of them men of the first character and refpectability; and, if they affame names, they do fo merely from modefty.-From the repetition of thefe advertisements, we muft fuppofe that there really are young widows, young heirs, &c. who want money, and who apply to thefe gentlemen.-Diamond ear-rings continue to be dropped, and to find Finders.

Mr. (the duelling cheesemonger)