a the tears and praises offered by a whole Parliament to the memory of Mr. Horner, none of the affecting speeches delivered on all sides conveyed more evidently the tribute of a kindred spirit than that of Mr. Elliott. “ Perhaps it was an error in judgment that he directed his attention more to the latter works of Mr. Burke, written in times of heat and violence, and applied to circumstances happily of very rare occurrence, than to his earlier and calmer writings, which are more abundant in lessons suited to the ordinary condition of society. But the moderation of his character tempered his opinions. He delighted in the society of those who applied the same principles in a manner very unlike to his own, and perhaps he felt somewhat of that delight which Mr. Windham said that he experienced when he escaped from his ministerial connections, to breathe once more the free air of his former societies, and of his old friendships. “ As his own constant friendship survived the shock of political difference, he reaped the reward of this excellent part of his nature, in never exciting alienation in his friends when he differed from them most widely and at the most critical moments. On one occasion he was compelled to dissent from that venerable person *, whom he called “ the last link in his public and private friendships.” It was a grievous calamity; but it served more brightly to display the firmness of his principles, and the tenderness of his friendship. Both these excellent persons reverenced each other the more for their conscientious difference; and their friendship was consolidated (for a time, alas! too short) by that which dissolves vulgar connections." The remains of Mr. Elliott arrived on the evening of Tuesday the 10th of November, at his house in Old Burlingtonstreet, from Scotland. On the next day, they were removed for interment to the family vault at Reigate, in the county of Surrey. The carriages of the Earls of Minto and Fitzwilliam, together with those of Lord Grenville, Lord Holland, &c. attended the funeral. # Earl Fitzwilliam. No. XXIII. ROBERT BEATSON, LL.D. AND F.R.S. of EDINBURGH. en This laborious and useful compiler was born in 1742, at Dysart, in the county of Fife. Conceiving an attachment to the military profession, in 1756 he obtained an signcy in a marching regiment, and in 1757 served in the expedition to the coast of France. Having soon after been advanced to the rank of Lieutenant in the army, he proceeded in that capacity to the West Indies, and was present during the attack on Martinico, in which he assisted, as well as at the capture of Guadaloupe. About 1766 he retired on halfpay, in which condition he was suffered to remain during the whole of the American war, notwithstanding his repeated solicitations for employment. On this, as he detested idleness on one hand, and was much addicted to reading on the other, Mr. Beatson determined to pursue a literary career, in which indeed he continued to exhibit unexampled ardour during a period of nearly half a century. In 1786 our author composed a most useful and laborious work, entitled “ A Political Index to the Histories of Great Britain and Ireland.” On this occasion, acting merely as a literary pioneer, if he did not reap great glory to himself, ye he at once facilitated the labours of others, and contributed at the same time to elucidate the private history of both this and the sister island. In 1790, Mr. Beatson (for he had not as yet obtained a degree) published his “ Naval and Military Memoirs of Grea t Britain,” in 3 vols. 8vo. This is a continuation of Campbello Historico-Chronologicale publication, which, until it becam obsolete, stood very high in the public estimation. It is a work of research and detail, greatly resembling his Political Index. No great merit indeed is required; for accuracy in respect to dates, and correctness as to facts, seem alone requisite. “ The following work," observes he, “is intituled NAVAL AND MILITARY MEMOIRS OF GREAT BRITAIN. The author does not assume the name of History ; both because he was diffident of his own abilities to give his work the high polish and finishing which a well-written history requires; and because his plan was to be more particular and minute, respecting individual services, than general history will admit of. Upon a subject which he considers as of the highest importance to his country, he has been long assiduously employed in collecting materials, and he hopes now to be able to lay before the public that ample and particular information of naval transactions, which seemed so much to be wanted by the inhabitants of this island. “ The military transactions recorded in these volumes are such only as have a relation to maritime affairs, or are connected with naval services, which form the primary and principal object of the present work. In his view he is of opinion, that many advantages may result from an accurate examination of such combined expeditions; and he therefore has been minute in the detail of them. - The narration of naval and military services commences with the year 1727, where the celebrated Dr. Campbell, in his Lives of the Admirals, leaves off; and it is meant to be continued to the year 1789. The volumes at present published proceed as far as 1763. The sequel is in great forwardness; and if the public shall approve of what is now laid before them, the rest, consisting of more recent and newer materials, will soon after follow, “ With respect to naval transactions, his intention is to be full and complete; giving a particular account, not only of the operations of fleets and squadrons, but noticing every action fought by single ships, and every instance of meritorious naval service. Such minuteness he deems essential to his plan; and he thinks it may prove highly beneficial to his country. It is not the magnitude of the object that makes courage or zeal conspicuous, or merit more apparent : the private captain, in fighting even a sloop of war, may manifest that professional skill and ability, which shall hereafter point him out to his country, as qualified to be entrusted with her highest and most important commands. “ That the narration be not too much encumbered, he has in the text omitted the description of places, most of the public letters, capitulations, naval and military returns, lines of battle, &c. &c. But, as he holds such particulars to be essential for the complete information of the reader, he has carefully collected and placed them chronologically, in a copious Appendix subjoined to the end of each volume, to be referred to atpleasure. “Such is the plan of the work. With regard to the style, the author meant to be plain, and wished to be perspicuous. In the collection of materials, he has been assiduous, and he hopes successful. To Britain, no subject can be of equal importance with her navy. Its history, from the æra at which these memoirs commence, has hitherto been defective; principally from the want of information in those authors who have attempted its continuance. To supply that information is the great object of the present work; and by so doing, to rouse the attention of Britain to her navy, which must be for ever, the bulwark of her strength, and the tower of her glory.” The Author appears a great enemy to the inglorious administration of Sir Robert Walpole ; he is extremely severe also on the conduct of such of his countrymen as supported the House of Stuart in its last attempt to assume the sovereignty of this country. President Forbes is his hero, and he was, perhaps, the greatest man of his age. The Appendix is valuable, not only on account of the lists it contains, but also on account of an historical and geographical description of all such of the enemy's settlements as were attacked by us. In 1807, Mr. Beatson published another useful and laborious collection, entitled, “ A Chronological Register of both Houses, of Parliament, from the Union in 1708 to the third Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.” By this time he was gratified by the publication of a third edition of a former work, to which he had prefixed a third preface; but on the present occasion, we do not find any introduction whatsoever. This, perhaps, was unnecessary, as by means of a double index, it affords a very easy reference to the state of representation in all counties, cities, and boroughs of the kingdom ; while it at the same time, furnishes a list, not only of every person who has served in parliament during the last century, but also of the period during which they remained, and by whom they were succeeded. Meanwhile our Author had obtained the degree of LL.D. for the University of Edinburgh; and still continuing his laborious career, he published “ Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain, from 1727 to the present Time.” To the above may be added, an ingenious essay, « On the comparative Advantages of Vertical and Horizontal Windmills, together with several Communications to the Board of Agriculture," of which he was an honoráry member. Dr. Beatson died at Edinburgh, Jan. 23d, 1818, in the 77th year of his age. No. XXIV. OLD JOHN SMITH. Individuals possessing rank and talents in society have the fairest claim to biographical distinction. But where these are |