PREFACE.

master of that too in a very little time, had he not been diverted from this enterprise by the arrival of a courier, who brought advice that his presence was absolutely necessary in the disposal of a beaver; upon which he raised the siege, and, indeed, retreated with precipitation."

It was Mr. Heywood himself, that (having conquered this silly habit), in after years, pointed out his own identity with Steele's Politician.

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ISAAC WATTS was born at Southampton, on July 17, 1674. At a very early age began to study the Latin and Greek Languages, to which he afterward added Hebrew; and had acquired a very competent knowledge of them by the time he attained his sixteenth year. In 1690 he was placed at the academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, in London; and in 1693 he joined the communion of the Independents, of which sect his preceptor was a minister. Having completed his studies, he devoted two years under his father's roof, to preparation for the sacred duties of the pastoral charge; and, at the expiration of that period, he accepted an invitation from Sir John Hartopp, to become He lived with Sir John five years, during which he perthe domestic tutor of his son. fected himself in Biblical learning; and in the last year, 1698, preached for the first He had time, on his birth-day. Shortly after, he was appointed assistant to the Rev. Dr. Chauncey; and on the Doctor's death in 1701-2, became his successor. his new office, when he was attacked by a severe illness, which scarcely entered upon incapacitated him for some years. He recovered, however, sufficiently to resume the duties of his charge; in which he evinced the greatest assiduity and solicitude until a second time he was afflicted with a fever so violent that he never entirely overcame the effects of it. At this period he met with the true Samaritan in Sir Thomas Abney, who took him into his house, and exerted himself indefatigably to restore his health. In this he succeeded; and though Sir Thomas lived but eight years to enjoy the society of his illustrious friend, Dr. Watts became for the remainder of his life the inmate of that hospitable family; where, for thirty-six years, he received every demonstration of affection, esteem, and veneration.

In 1716, Dr. Watts returned to the duties of his ministry, which had been performed during his absence by Mr. Samuel Price, as joint pastor. In 1728 he received, totally unsolicited and unexpected, the degree of Doctor in Divinity, from the Universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

He continued to officiate in his congregation, until disabled by increasing infirmity; he then wished to resign his appointment, but was not permitted to do so; his flock insisted upon his continuing to receive the accustomed salary, and at the same time paid another minister to act in his stead. Dr. Watts died on the 25th of November, 1748, aged 74. The virtues and piety of Dr. Watts are strongly reflected in his writings, and spread over them an imperishable luster. As a Theologian and a Philosopher, he is inferior to none; as a Poet, he is spirited and elegant; but all distinctions, perhaps, ought to give way before that to which he has a primeval claim, and which is so freely awarded him by Dr. Johnson :

"For children, he condescended to lay aside the Scholar, the Philosopher, and the Wit, to write little poems of devotion, and systems of instruction, adapted to their wants and capacities, from the dawn of reason, through its gradations of advance in the morning of life. Every man acquainted with the common principles of human action will look with veneration on the writer who is at one time combating Locke, and at another making a catechism for children in their fourth year. A voluntary descent from the dignity of Science is, perhaps, the hardest lesson that humility can teach."

JOHN WEAVER was a Dancing master, and author of "An Essay toward a History of Dancing; in which the whole Art, and its various excellencies, are in some measure explained. Containing the several sorts of Dancing, antique and modern, serious, scenical, grotesque, etc. With the use of it as an exercise, qualification, diversion, etc.," 12mo. In a letter printed in the "Spectator," No. 334, he advertises his intention of publishing this Work, which appeared before the close of the year. Steele spoke approvingly of the Book in the "Spectator," No. 466, and certainly not undeservedly, if it be written with the same ease and spirit as his Letter.

Richard Parker was the friend and fellow-collegian of Steele, at Merton College. He took his degree of M. A. in 1697, and was esteemed a very accomplished scholar.

It is said that Edmund Smith submitted his Translation of Longinus, to his judgment, from his exact critical knowledge of the Greek Tongue. Mr. Parker was presented by his College to the Vicarage of Embleton, in Northumberland, which he held to a very advanced age: it would appear, however, from his Letter in "Spectator," No. 474, that his tastes were very dissimilar to those of the country gentlemen around him.

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PETER ANTHONY MOTTEUX was born at Rouen in 1600. On the revocation of the Edict of Nantz, he came to England, and lived for some time with his relative, Paul Dominique, Esq. Unlike the generality of his countrymen, he attained so perfect a knowledge of the English Language, both in its idiom and its colloquial expression, that his Transla tions of Don Quixote," and "The Works of Rabelais," have been esteemed, the former equal to any before or since; and the latter, "one of the most perfect specimens of the art of Translation." He also translated several plays, which were acted with success; wrote Prologues and Epilogues; and a Poem On Tea," dedicated to the Spectator. At length, deeming Trade a more lucrative pursuit than Literature, he opened an East India Warehouse in Leadenhall-street; and obtained an appointment in the Post-office. His Letter to the Spectator (in No. 288) relates to this change in his avocations, and is an advertisement of the articles in which he dealt.-He soon was placed in easy circumstances, married an amiable woman, and became the father of a family but these blessings were insufficient to deter him from vicious habits. He was found dead on the morning of the 9th of February, 1717-18, at a brothel near Temple Bar, not without suspicions that he had been murdered by the wretches who surrounded him.

BROME, D.D., was the author of Spectator, No. 302. It is supposed that the Emilia who is there described, was "the mother of Mrs. Ascham, of Connington, Cambridgeshire," and the wife of Dr. Brome. This latter supposition is founded upon, and, in some measure, borne out by, her husband being termed "Bromius." If such be the fact, we learn that Brome had been originally a man, gay, thoughtless, and extravagant; and that he owed to the virtues and discreet conduct of his wife, the preservation of his paternal estate, as well as of his moral character.

FRANCHAM was a resident at Norwich, and wrote "Spectator" No. 520, upon his wife's death. We have no further particulars regarding him; and it is a pity, for the paper in question is of extreme beauty, simplicity, and tenderness.

MR. DUNLOP was Greek Professor in the University of Glasgow, and joined with Mr. Montgomery, in writing No. 524. Mr. Dunlop published a Greek Grammar of some repute.

MR. MONTGOMERY was a Merchant of high respectability, and, we are told, "traded to Sweden, and his business carrying him there, it is said that in consequence of something between him and Queen Christina, he was obliged to leave the kingdom abruptly. This event was supposed to have affected his intellect, much in the same manner as Sir Roger de Coverley is represented to have been injured by his passion for the beautiful widow."

MISS SHEPHEARD, and her sister, MRS. PERRY, were descended from Sir Fleetwood Shepheard. The former wrote two letters in the "Spectator," one signed Parthenia, in No. 140, the other Leonora, in No. 163: and the latter, one in No. 92, reminding Addison of a promise he had made, to recommend a select library for the improvement of the fair sex.

ROBERT HARPER was a Conveyancer of Lincoln's Inn: he wrote the letter in No. 480, signed M.D. The original draught, communicated by the Rev. Mr. Harper, of the British Museum, shows that Steele made many alterations in this Letter before printing it.

GOLDING. We have no particulars relative to the life and character of Mr. Golding; but to him is attributed the first Letter in No. 250 of the "Spectator."

GILBERT BUDGELL, the second brother of Eustace Budgell, was the author of the verses at the close of No. 591: it is probable that the paper itself is the production of his brother Eustace.

HENRY BLAND was head master of Eton School, then Provost of the College, and afterward Dean of Durham. He was author of the Latin Translation of Cato's Soliloquy, in No. 628, originally attributed to Atterbury. The late Horace Walpole assured Mr. Nicholls that he had heard his father, Sir Robert, say that it was the work of Bland, and that he had himself given it to Addison.

RICHARD INCE was educated at Westminster, and after became a student of Christchurch, Oxford. Steele testifies to his having been a contributor to the "Spectator," in No. 555. In 1740, he obtained, through Lord Granville's interest, the office of Secretary to the Comptroller of Army Accounts, the duties of which he performed with great credit for twelve years; when, by the death of his brother, he inherited an affluent fortune. He died in 1758.

-CAREY, of New College, Oxford, was, by Steele's acknowledgment (No. 555), a contributor to the "Spectator;" his productions, however, have not been identified.

Beside the Papers ascribed, by ascertained fact, and by internal evidence, to the foregoing, a considerable number marked T. (meaning, it is judged, Transcribed), as well as fifty-three others, remain unappropriated. Many of them, it is probable, are the compositions of Budgell and Tickell; but research seems to have done its utmost and it is not now likely that further information will be elicited respecting them.

H. D.