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Every bushel of wheate makethe 20 loaves, at 3 lb. the loafe and 6 oz. unbaked, the branne ranged out.

Berks

Essex

Hertford

Suffolke

Norfolk

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Everie 12 bushels of malte, makethe one ohne of beere, of Burge's cask, viz. 60 galons eche hoggesheade, 4 of these to the tonne. But the ration of a horseman, beside a proportionate augmentation of other viands, was increased to 3 lbs. of beef, Cambridge which seems to justify the sarcastic remark of the Constable of France," the "men do sympathize with their mastiffs, "in robustious and rough coming on, " and then give them great meals of beef, " and iron and steel, they will eat like "wolves, and fight like devils." HEN. V. Huntingdon The following list of provisions furnished by the counties respectively, may assist in enabling us to form some idea of their state of cultivation, and of the pro- Southampton duce depending on it, in the sixteenth century. The supply appears to us to be but small, and we observe in all the letters of the naval commanders such a sense of their deficiency in stores, and the neces sity of returning home for victuals, as convinces us that the royal offices were very ill supplied; and looks something like a proof that the general stock of provision in the country was quickly sensible of any sudden or unusual demands on it.

Oxford

butter 300 barrels wheate 800

maulte 1000

butter 100 barrels wheate 300

maulte 400

Stafford and Leicester
Warwick & Northamp. oxen
Lincoln and Rutland oxen
Bedford & Buckingham oxen
Derby and Nottingham oxen
Worcester and Salop
Gloucester and liberties
Butchery of London

Total, for 10,000 men,

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Oxen

400

200

400

300

300

oxen

300

oxen

300

oxen

600

wheate 5600 qu'rs.

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maulte 7000

Endorced by Ld. Burgheley,
26th Jan. 1586.

We may safely ask, what quantities above 200 qrs. of wheat Surry, and what above 300 qrs. Essex, could now supply? and what impression the purchase of 600 oxen would make on the butchery of London? We imagine six times that quantity is no uncommon number for a contractor to select in the London market, in three or four months. An estimate of what quantities each county could furnish we believe was made out in 1803, by order of the House of Commons, but not printed.tremely uncommon. The poinion of Edward Baishe, General Sur

veyor of Her Majesty's Victual, for the See, declaring out of what Sheires, Wheate, Maulte, Oxen, Butter and Cheese are to be had.

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community, and render them all unavailing; or a shifting of the general duty of all, from self, to whoever pleases to discharge it, may baffle all calculation; a symptom uncommonly alarming! for how can virtue and wisdom be executed by deputy? While, therefore, we applaud the readiness of Queen Elizabeth to meet the exigency of her times with a truly noble fortitude, and a truly sagacious preparation, we admire that dignified veneration which attributed her successes to the Divine will, and recorded her dependance not on a host, though she had a host of Englishmen, nor on a navy, though her navy was heart of oak, but on Providence. Afflavit Deus et dissipantur, the motto adopted on her medals, does her no less honour than her speech at Tilbury, or her thunders directed by Howard and Drake. May the issue prove that posterity is equally ready in this act of duty, this acknowledgment, to which we are bound by every sentiment of patriotism, by every sense of personal obligation, and by every dictate of piety!

The Life of Sir Walter Raleigh, Knt. by Arthur Cayley, jun. Esq. in two volumes, 4to. pp. 538, with an Appendix, pp. 115. Price £1 16s. 1805. Also in 8vo. price £1 1s. 1806. Ca

dell and Davies. London.

Among the most pleasing studies offered by literature, Biography occupies a principal place. That curiosity which distinguishes the human mind is fond of tracing step by step the lives and manners of those who have risen to eminence by their personal good conduct; and when they are such as lived in ages past, we unroll the "ample page of know"ledge," and become acquainted with them by means of history. In particular, the eminent personages of our own country are subjects of our more earnest attention: the feelings of patriotism unite with the stimulus of curiosity, to impart a double zest to our pleasure when memoirs of such are under our perusal. Perhaps, too, we derive gratification of the purest kind from considering those great men who are not our contemporaries; for against them we entertain no animosity: no party spirit lurks in the secret recesses of the mind, diminishing the due share of praise to which they are entitled, or augmenting into guilt those failings from

which the most virtuous or the most judici. ous, are not absolutely free.

To these considerations we may add the power of completing the whole by examining the result. The mind is pleased with the opportunity of combining into one, the introductory events, the progress of occurrences, and their ascertained termination: free from that painful state of suspense as to the issue, that uneasy feeling which accompanies conjecture as to what may be the turn of affairs, and. what the denouement of the whole.

We have always been fond of biogra phy, but at the same time have supposed that the life of every man comprises a lesson which should not be lost on the world. "Some achieve greatness ;" and if they achieve it honorably, their principles are so many lessons of honour; if dishonorably, if "damned to everlasting "fame," they serve as beacons to warn mankind to preserve a cautious distance from the rocks and quicksands wherein such have perished. We cannot therefore commend the volumes before us as a complete example of biographical writing, because the author has professedly employed his leisure in simply "collecting "and arranging the scattered parts of Sir "Walter's story." This being his object it is unjust to try him by principles of a higher description. If he has accomplished what he undertook, and we think. he has, he may rest satisfied with a success which not every author can boast, and perhaps by not having attempted too much he has the better effected what he thought proper to attempt. We are obliged to him for what he has done, though we regret the pleasure we might have enjoyed had he ventured further and succeeded in doing more.

The general events of Sir Walter Raleigh's life are known to our readers. Mr. Cayley treads almost closely in the steps of Mr. Oldys who prefixed a life of Raleigh to the Knight's "History of the "World," the first edition of which was published in 1614, and the eleventh, and best, by Mr. O. in 1736. Dr. Thomas Birch in 1751 prefixed also a life to the miscellaneous works in 2 vols 8vo of this eminent character. Sir W. was fourth son of Walter Raleigh, Esq. of Fardel in the parish of Cornwood, near Plymouth. The first part of his life was passed in obscurity, though he studied during some years

at Oxford, in Oriel College. About seventeen he went as a gentleman soldier to France, was at Paris during the famous Bartholomew massacre, but how he escaped is not known. From this period we him find engaged in a variety of enterprizes; now fitting out ships for discoveries and settling of colonies; as, to America in 1579, and Virginia in 1584, on which colony he spent £40,000; but at length transferred his patent to certain merchants of London. Sometimes we find him discharging the duties of Vice- Admiral of her Majesty's fleet, and doing all possible injury to Spain and her colonies. Sometimes he appears in the not less arduous character of a member of the English Parliament, promoting the advantage of his native country. He was eminent as a writer, respectable as a poet, and it is thought, while confined in the Tower, not unsuccessful as a chemist. To these parts of Sir Walter's character the volumes before us bear ample testimony. It is to be acknowledged, with regret, that the justice due to Sir Walter necessarily involves justice of another kind due to his persecutors. The Court of Queen Elizabeth, was, like other courts, a region of party; even while his royal mistress lived, Raleigh was exposed to the spirit of rivalship, and the insinuations of jealousy more than once was the Queen irritated against him, and his favour at court was

shorn of its beams." But, when Elizabeth who was more than woman was dead, and James who was less than man had succeeded her, the knight's good fortune rapidly declined. He had been appointed captain of the guard, by Elizabeth, but this in a few weeks he was directed to relinquish, receiving in requital but a moderate compensation; and in less than three months he was arraigned at the bar for high treason.

This trial is one of those disgraceful incidents in our history, which patriotism may wish had never occurred, yet, which having occurred, patriotism would not wish should be expunged. The unmannerly insolence of Coke, the Attorney General, is a lasting stigma on his character. What shall we think of the man whose violence led him to use such gross language as "thou viper; for I thou thee, "thou traitor" a triplication which did not escape the notice and lash of Shakespeare, who makes Sir Toby Belch advise

Sir Andrew Aguecheek to "taunt " his adversary "with the licence of ink: if thou thou'st him some thrice it shall not be amiss; and as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper, although the sheet were big enough for the bed of Ware in England, set 'em down. Go about it-let there be gall enough in thy ink; though thou write with a goose pen no matter,—about it." This allusion is too plain to be mistaken; and shews the feeling of the public mind on this occasion: for otherwise the incident would have been dangerous in a work intended to be popular, like a play.

The law of the land was further violated, in the admission of incompetent evidence; for whereas the law requires two witnesses, and those to be examined, viva voce, in open court; the adversaries of Raleigh, though one witness was in their power, did not produce him, but eked out the charges against the prisoner by a mass of papers, and hearsays, which we are happy to think would be scouted from before the seat of justice in these days. The judge, Popham, acted in a manner disgraceful to his station.

It should seem, that Coke in accusing our knight without proving his guilt, and the judges in condemning him, not according to law, did no more than comply with the humour of their master; accordingly, Raleigh was condemned; but execution of his sentence being stayed, he spent twelve years in imprisonment in the Tower. Here he found in letters that alleviation of his troubles, which only an enlightened mind can procure, and here he composed that most considerable proof of his genius and learning the "History of the World." He at length obtained his liberty, by a bribe of £1500. to two favourites of the King; but trusted to the King's generosity for his pardon, and, being honoured with the royal commission to search for a gold mine in Guiana, he concluded too presumptively, that his former condemnation was cancelled by his present office. The error cost him his life; for after returning unsuccessful he was arrested on his former condemnation, though fifteen years had elapsed, and being taken for dead in law, was beheaded in Palace Yard, Oct. 29, 1616.

But perhaps the most flagrant instanc● of imbecility, not to call it treason against his subjects, is the conduct of King James,

who on occasion of this voyage obliged Raleigh to give him in detail every par ticular of his plan against a part of the South American coast where the Spaniards had a settlement, bound him not to deviate from this plan, in the smallest particular, and then communicated the whole scheme to Spain: insomuch, that this very paper of particulars was found in the house of the Spanish Governor of the place attacked! Our readers will no doubt participate in our indignation: but words are inadequate to express our feelings at such baseness.

The mere outline of this history leads to the inference, that however Mr. Cayley may have declined to introduce those reflections, which would have added in terest and dignity to his volumes, yet that the story itself, naturally suggests sentiments which are capable of being directed to excellent purposes. It will be none of the least of these if young courtiers should learn from the example of Raleigh, the extreme lubricity of the polished surface on which they stand.

Let them

state their own pretensions in the most available terms, let them urge their merit, their services, their alacrity in obeying, their every quality which becomes either the station they occupy or that they desire, can they surpass, nay, can they equal Sir Walter Raleigh? Was he not one of the glories of the court in the glorious days of the immortal Elizabeth? was he not wise in council, intrepid in action, adventurous of his property, and persevering in his undertakings; as a soldier not inferior to any; as a seaman superior to most; learned as a literato, judicious as a statesman; qualified tam Marti quam Mercurio ? Where Sir Walter fell, let all be cautious. And if any whose vigorous minds know better, have been deluded by ambition into wishes for honour and distinction, let them ask themselves whether they are content to procure them at similar hazards? and whether real felicity is not more certainly within their reach, while private, than it would be were they in the most conspicuous of situations? Happily for mankind, not many can be great if one in a thousand be raised to honour, there are nine hundred and ninety-nine left to the possibilities of happiness. Such are the chances of life!

Besides the regular narration of Sir Walter's life, Mr. Cayley has inserted at

length, the histories of several of his voyages, his judgment on sundry points of political economy, in which we recognize those very principles which the present age considers as unquestionably proper for adoption; also various letters, and other papers of more or less importance, but connected with the story and contributing to illustrate it. Sir Walter's instructions to his son close that part which is denominated his life. An Appendix of 115 pages, containing scarce pieces, and proper documents to support the narration previously given, is added to the second volume. Such of these as display our knight's opinion on the preparations necessary to be made, in order to receive an enemy as becomes Englishmen, and how to distribute our forces for his welcome after he is landed, are not without interest in the present situation of our country. His letter to Prince Henry on ship building, shews his intimate knowledge of that branch of art; we cannot however, but smile at the then Spanish principle of Grande navio grande fatica. compared with the sizes of their modern Santa Anna, San Carlos, San Josef, and especially their famous Santissima Trinidada. This appendix closes with a refu tation of Mr. Hume's reasons for infer

ring the guilt of Sir Walter, and that he practised a delusion on the King in the affair of the gold mine. The reasons are drawn from the King's declaration, which also is given at length. Some of them are weak enough.

It is our wish to promote the publica tion of correct histories of the most strik ing events which have occurred in our nation we therefore view with indulgence and pleasure every attempt of the kind. We are glad to see that the favourable reception of the quarto edition, has induced Mr. Cayley to print in 8vo. and shall be glad for his sake that both copies may soon become scarce.

The Poetical Works of William Julius
Mickle, including several original
Pieces, with a new Life of the Author.
By the Rev. John Sim, A. B. 18mo.
pp. 188. Life lxiv. Price 5s. sewed.
Symonds, &c. London, 1806.

A neat little volume, containing the completest collection of this Poet s works, that has been presented to the public. To commend an author so well known as

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The

Mickle, is altogether superfluous. The Life, prefixed, appears to be the most particular and comprehensive we have ever read; and is composed," says Mr. Sim, who dedicates to the Bishop of Norwich, "from his private correspondence, and "from the information which I received "from himself, during an unreserved in"timacy of more than sixteen years." We shall not analyse this narrative; but content ourselves with generally commending it there is however so much good sense and valuable advice in Lord Lyttleton's Letters to Mickle, that we cannot but insert one of them by way of specimen.

Sir,

Hagley Park, Aug. 28, 1764. I should have sooner returned the verses you sent me, if I had not been hindered by a great deal of company from considering them enough to give you my thoughts on the beauties or faults of them with the neCessary strictness of criticism. But having now read them over with a good deal of attontion, I dare venture to assure you, that the first of the two Odes has all the merit that just sentiment, fine poetical imagery, elegant diction, and harmonious numbers, can give to so trite a subject. There is also in some stanzas a sublimity of thought and expression which raises it above the ordinary pitch of mere descriptive poetry.

As to the poem on the death of Mary, Queen of Scots, I will not criticise any part of it, because I wholly disapprove the subject. Poetry should not consecrate what history must condemn; and it is as certain as history can render any fact, that (besides her criminal amours with David Rizzio and Bothwell) she was an accomplice in the murder of the King, her husband. Read Thuanus or Hume, (who have written her history more truly than Robertson,) and you will be inclined to pity, but not to praise her; nor will Robertson himself, though he shades her crimes as much as possible, give you such an idea of her as to make you think her a proper subject for the encomiums of a writer who means to serve the cause of virtue, and not of party.

With regard to the plan of your poem on Providence, I think what you propose is a far better solution of the difficulties that appear in the moral government of the world than Mr. Pope's. Whoever is miserable will feel that his philosophy is vana et ficta; but if he be virtuous, and reads the latter part of your first Ode, he will find there a real and effectual consolation. You cannot, therefore, do better than to have recourse to that hope in your justification of Providence; any other, I am sure, will prove insufficient. The analogy between the plant contained

perfect in the seed, and the angel in the man*, I like extremely. St. Paul says, we shall go to the spirits of just men made perfect. All here is imperfect; but the tendency to perfection, and the capacity of attaining it, justify the Creator. Adieu.

Dear Sir, do not be discouraged at difficulties, but cultivate your fine genius, and employ it as you have begun, in the service of virtue and religion. This will give you a crown far exceeding the poet's laurel, unfading in the heavens! I am with the most sincere esteem and regard, Sir, your's, &c. L.

"As the acorn's germ

Perfect in all its branchy pride contains
The future oak that soon shall brave the sky;
So folded up in all it's godlike powers
In man that mourns, the future angel lies:
Though imperfection mark his every power,
His every virtue, and his every joy,
Yet where a native dignity of mind
And pure sincerity, that fertile soil,
Of noblest virtues join, conspicuous there
A rising tendency to worth divine
And full perfection glows."-Providence.

12mo.

The Birds of Scotland, with other Poems.
By James Grahame.
Pp. 248.
Price 78. Edinburgh printed, Long-
man and Co. London. 1806.

THE author before us combines with a vigorous imagination and a lively vein of poetry, some of those gross negligences which occasionally disgrace genius. His eye as a man of observation seems to be better than his ear as a man of numbers, yet every poet must be a man of numbers, or his productions will suffer by his defect. We consider Mr. G. however, as a bard of merit, and promise, and hope on some future occasion to congratulate him on producing a finished performance. The "Biblical Pictures" are too slight, even to assume importance: the Sonnets on the Months have received more attention; but the most laboured production in the volume is the Birds of Scotland; in which we find very much to commend, and in some passages ideas exquisitely poetical, notwithstanding various lines of these very passages sin against both metre and cadence. We shall extract his description of the wren and the eagle, which in the poem are very properly placed in distinct books.

The little woodland dwarf, the tiny WREN, That from the root-sprigs trills her ditty clear. Of stature most diminutive herself, Not so her wonderous house; for, strange to tell! Her's is the largest structure that is formed By tuneful bill and breast. 'Neath some old root,

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