ed with the genius of its Purser. The Captain's cabin was ordered to be fitted up with a stove, and with every addition of comfort that could be procured; in order that FALCONER might thus be enabled to enjoy his favourite propensity, without either molestation or expence. How long he continued in this retreat is uncertain; for here again my information fails me. In this hermitage he finished his celebrated Universal Dictionary of the Marine; a work that had engaged his utmost application for some years. The undertaking was first suggested to him by GEORGE LEWIS SCOTT, Esq. and its great utility was acknowledged by Sir EDWARD HAWKE, and other professional men in the Navy. In a letter which FALCONER received from the celebrated DU HAMEL, his opinion of it was thus decidedly given: Ce livre manquoit absolument; celui qui a été imprimé en Hollande, et qui a eu un debit considérable, est très-imparfait; celui de M. Saverien est encore plus mauvais. From the GLORY, FALCONER was appointed to the + SWIFTSURE.

† Governor HUNTER was in doubt whether it was the SWIFTSURE, or the WARSPIGHT; from some MSS. I have seen, I have preferred the former Ship, and can fix the date of the appointment to the year 1767.

In 1764 he published a new edition of his Poem, in octavo, corrected and enlarged; and being by gratitude, as well as principle, attached to the party of the King's Friends, he printed, about the year 1765, a political Satire on Lord CHATHAM, WILKES, and CHURCHILL, which served as a powerful antidote to the ROSCIAD : many of the lines are conceived with all the JUVENAL:

"Nor shall unmanly Terror now controul

The strong resentment struggling in her soul;

While Indignation with resistless Strain

energy

Pours her full deluge through each swelling vein."

of

The Universal Dictionary of the Marine was not printed until 1769; after he had left his naval retreat at CHATHAM, and had been obliged to take up his abode in a garret in the metropolis, where I fear he struggled for a considerable time against the res angustæ domus. His spirits, however, and the attentions of an affectionate partner, with the chance rencounter of some old messmates, enabled him to weather those breakers which the great Ocean of Life so frequently presents. Among other resources, he derived a pittance from writing in the Critical Review, under his

countryman MALLET; and, at one time, received proposals from Mr MURRAY,† to be admitted as a partner

Mr. JOHN M'MURRAY, born at Edinburgh, was originally an Officer in the Honourable Corps of Marines, under the patronage of Sir GEORGE YONGE, Bart. The following letter to FALCONER gives an account of his first commencement of business as a Bookseller. Some lines addressed by FALCONER to his friend Mr. M'MURRAY, were intended to be prefixed to the third edition of THE SHIPWRECK; but were omitted amidst the hurry of the Author on leaving England, for India.

To Mr. WILLIAM FALCONER, now at Dover.

DEAR WILL,

Brompton, Kent, 16th Oct. 1768.

Since I saw you I have had the intention of embarking in a scheme that I think will prove successful, and in the progress of which I had an eye towards your participating. Mr. SANDBY, Bookseller, opposite St. Dunstan's Church, has entered into Company with SNOW and DENNE, Bankers. I was introduced to this gentleman about a week ago, upon an advantageous offer of succeeding him in his old business; which, by the advice of my friends, I propose to accept. Now, although I have little reason to fear success by myself in this undertaking; yet I think so many additional advantages would accrue to us both, were your forces and mine joined, that I cannot help mentioning it to you, and making you the offer of entering into Company. He resigns to me the lease of the house; the good-will ; and I only take his bound stock, and fixtures, at a fair appraisement, which will not amount to much beyond 400 l.; and which, if ever I mean to part with, cannot fail to bring in nearly the same sum. The Shop has been long esta

in the line of business, which that respectable bookseller afterwards established.

blished in the trade; it retains a good many old Customers; and I am to be ushered immediately into public notice by the sale of a new edition of Lord Lyttleton's Dialogues; and afterwards by a like edition of his History: these works I shall sell by commission upon a certain profit, without risk; and Mr. SANDBY has promised to continue to me, always, his good offices and recommendation.

These are the general Outlines; and if you entertain a notion that the conjunction will suit you, advise me, and you shall be assumed upon equal terms; for I write to you before the affair is finally settled: not that I shall refuse it, if you don't concur, (for I am determined upon the trial by myself,) but that I think it will still turn out better were we joined; and this consideration alone prompts me to write to you. Many Blockheads in the Trade are making fortunes; and did we not succeed as well as they, I think it must be imputed only to ourselves.

Make Mrs. M'MURRAY'S compliments and mine to Mrs. FALCONER; we hope she has reaped much benefit from the salt-water bath. Consider what I have proposed; and send me your answer soon. Be assured in the mean time that I remain,

Dear Sir,

Your affectionate and humble servant,

JOHN MCMURRAY.

P. S. My advisers, and directors, in this affair have been,

THOMAS CUMMING, Esq. Mr. ARCH. PAXTON, Mr. Jam. Pa

A

A third edition of THE SHIPWRECK was loudly called for at the beginning of the year 1769: considerable improvements, and additions, had been prepared by our Author; but I am induced to think, that amidst the agitation of his mind on being appointed Purser to the AURORA Frigate, Captain LEE,* which then was ordered to carry out to India HENry Vansittart, Esq.† LUKE SCROFTON, Esq. and Colonel F. FORDE; that FALCONER, who also had the promise of being their private secretary, from the joy of obtaining so lucrative a situation, neglected this edition, and left the last alterations to his friend MALLET: the inferiority of many passages is strikingly evident. I have endeavoured, with the assistance of the first and second editions, to make our Author correct himself, and thus to restore the purity of the original text, which had become strangely impaired; at the same time being careful to preserve all the beauties of the third edition.

TERSON, of Essex House, Messrs. J. and W. RICHARDSON, Printers. These, after deliberate reflection, have unanimously thought I should accept of Mr. SANDBY's offer.

* Mr. MONTRESSER, son of Colonel MONTRESSER, was First Lieutenant.

One of his sons accompanied him.