you, my sincerely beloved children,” he remarks, “I dedicate these memoirs, as to those whom I love and esteem more than I do any other on earth. This you well know, and all who are, or wish to be thought, affectionate parents, will readily give me credit for my sincerity.

“ One of my strongest inducements for undertaking a work, to which I feel myself however but too incompetent, is to meet your wishes, by recording what would otherwise most probably be soon forgotten. I feel assured likewise, that none will set a greater value upon it; and most devoutly do I pray unto Almighty God, that the memoirs of my Struggles through Life may prove instructive in guarding you against the errors and follies which they record; and teach you, that you ought

, never to despair, but place a firm reliance on the Providence of God, and his blessing on your own exertions.”

In 1808 we find him asserting, “ that though somewhat shattered and unfit for sailing far under a roving commission, his timbers are yet sound, and still capable of harbour duty.” About that same period, he exhibited the superiority of “ an horizontal or capstan-bar motion,” for working ships' pumps at sea; while he invented two fire-escapes, for saving life and property on land. Five of his children were grown up at that period, and his own wants appeared at once bounded and supplied by a moderate competency.

It was thus that old age seemed to pass gaily, and even usefully away, until a cloud rising all on a sudden above the horizon burst at length on his devoted head. It is not necessary to enter into particulars. Some of the persons under him are said to have made certain disclosures, which, whether well or ill founded, in the end bereaved him of the countenance of his former patrons. Notwithstanding this he remained in the house attached to his office, where he was doomed to be overwhelmed with a variety of diseases, which for a time nearly deprived him of his senses. Thus terminated a life, replete with adventures, speculations, and fortunate as well as adverse incidents, on the 13th of January 1817, at the advanced age of 72, after a very long, painful, and protracted illness.

List of THE WORKS

Of the late John Harriott, Esq. 1. Tables for the Preservation and Improvement of Landed Estates, and for the Increase of the Growth of Timber on them.

2. Struggles through Life, 3 vols. 12mo. Ist edit. 1808 3d ditto 1816.

No. II.

THE Rev. WILLIAM BELOE, B.D. F.S.L.

RECTOR OF ALLHALLOWS, LONDON-WALL; PREBENDARY OF PANCRAS,

IN ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, AND PREBENDARY OF LINCOLN.

[With an Analysis of his principal Works.] The subject of the present memoir was a writer of considerable celebrity. Indeed, he devoted his whole life to literature, and his multifarious labours were not entirely thrown away on a barren and unproductive soil. A period of near forty years, during which he was almost constantly before the public; and in the course of which he edited, translated, or composed more than forty volumes, afforded great facilities, in respect to style, composition, and information. Some fortunate occurrences too, were seized upon with equal avidity and success; while the late war with France supplied ample materials for his pen, and finally, produced both notice and preferment.

William Beloe was born in 1756, at Norwich, in the county of Norfolk. His father was an eminent tradesman in that ancient city, where, after struggling with a variety of difficulties, he at length carried on, for many years, a very extensive and lucrative traffic. For such an ancestor, none of his descendants have occasion to blush; on the contrary, one anecdote concerning him reflects lustre on his character, and cannot, even at this distant period, but afford gratification to his offspring. Unassisted either by fortune or education, he entered life in á very humble station, and consequently, under many disadvantages. His first efforts proved unavailing, unsuccessful, and ruinous. Notwithstanding his acknowledged industry, so unfortunate did he prove, that at the end of a few years, he was compelled to divide his effects among his creditors ! Un

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daunted by events, over which he had no possible control, and respecting which he was allowed to be blameless, the elder Mr. Beloe commenced business a second time; and by persevering assiduity, and unwearied attention, was at length enabled to perform one of the noblest acts of which human nature is capable. He now convoked his creditors, and gratuitously paid the balance due to each, amidst the plaudits of all.*

Perfectly aware of the advantages to be derived from a good education, the father determined from the first to bestow one on his son. William accordingly commenced his career at a little school in his native city, whence he was removed to another, the superintendant of which undertook to teach him the classics. From the latter, he took his first flight to a remote province; for his parents, either actuated by a laudable eco

; nomy, or, what is still more probable, by the reputation of a most respectable master, determined to acquire for their son all the benefits that could possibly be derived from his tuition.

The lad was accordingly placed under the care of the Rev. Matthew Raine, then resident at Hartforth, near Richmond, in the county of York. This worthy gentleman appears to have educated the children of others, as well as his own, with no common degree of success: indeed, it is sufficient but to mention the names of his sons, in order to be convinced of this fact. Of these, the late Dr. Raine, after acquiring a high reputation both for intellectual and acquired knowledge, died some years since master of the Charter-house; while Jonathan, a younger brother, has been long since called to the bar, and sat in more than one parliament for the borough of Newport in Cornwall.

But it will assuredly prove most satisfactory to permit the pupil himself to describe this period of his own life; and he has happily left us in possession of materials sufficient for that purpose.

“ One of the earliest things I recollect of myself is, that I had a certain pruriency of parts, which induced my friends

to suppose, that there was something in me, beyond the level of boys of my age. I fear, however, that the harvest did not correspond with the promise of the spring; or rather, perhaps, that the partiality of parents and relatives was in the first instance delusive. This, however, was not their fault, for they certainly bestowed on me the best education which their means and opportunities afforded.

“ Of the first schools to which I was put, I remember very little; I fear that I did not learn very much : at length I was told that I was to go to a Latin school. I retain the strong impression, that this intelligence electrified my whole frame. A train was laid to my ambition, and I had already conceived myself at the very summit of literary honour and distinction. But I was bitterly disappointed; my instructor knew nothing of the matter; he began at the wrong end, and I was plunged into the midst of a crabbed Latin author, without even knowing my accidence. For a time, however, I kept blundering on; conscious to myself that I was making no progress, and having credit with my master for a large portion of dulness. How long this misuse of valuable hours might have continued, I cannot say; not improbably till I had arrived at the dignity of pounding a mortar, spreading plasters, and compounding medicines. Accident at length removed me to a wider, a fairer, and a more promising field. I must, however, do myself the justice of declaring, that on since looking around me, in a circle not extremely limited, I have never been enabled to recognize any of the individuals, in whose society I dog'seared the Colloquies of Corderius, and bewildered myself in the fables of Phædrus."

His father, as has already been mentioned, now interposed, and happily for the son, placed him under better auspices.

“ An opportunity presented itself,” continues he,“ of removing me to a remote province, where good education, good air, and kind treatment, came recommended under the sanction of a desirable economy. My hopes expanded, and my ardour increased. I loved my parents, dearly loved them; but I had a certain portion of ambition, which stimulated me

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