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-posed he took considerable interest, Mr. Kiffin found a packet of letters, which had been left at his house by some unknown person about half an hour before. Upon his opening them, he found one directed to the Lord Chief Justice Jeffries, and another to himself, full of threats and treasonable expressions. As he could not but suspect some malicious design, he immediately sent them to Jeffries, whose clerk told Mr. Kiffin's servant, that he knew the handwriting. This still further strengthened his suspicions; and it is not a little surprising that he never heard any thing further concerning

them.

Some particulars above related, will convince the reader, that Mr. K. was in great favour with his sovereign, and with some of the most considerable persons about his court. Perhaps it may be difficult to account for this circumstance, unless we suppose his skill as a merchant, and the property he acquired, had any weight. His principles, certainly, were not in his favour, he being a Dissenter of the most obnoxious sort. Though we cannot vouch for the authenticity of the following anecdote, it is too curious to be omitted.-King Charles II., it is well known, was often in want of money, to defray the expences of his pleasures, and would sometimes condescend to borrow of his subjects. On one of these occasions, it was currently reported, that he sent to Mr. Kiffin, to borrow of him 40,000l. Mr. Kiffin apologized for not having it in his power to lend his Majesty so much, but told the messenger, that if it would be of any service, he would present him with 10,000l. which was accepted: and Mr. Kiffin used afterwards to say, that in so doing, he had saved 30,000l. It is certain that Mr. Kiffin had much interest with the King, and was often a successful advocate at court, for his persecuted brethren.

King Charles II. dying in Feb. 1684-5, was succeeded by his brother, James II. In the summer of that year, the Duke of Monmouth landed at Lyme, and setting up his standard, invited the people to take up arms against the gloomy tyrant. But this ill-judged expedition, soon afterwards, cost him his head. Among the unfortunate persons who attached themselves to his cause, were two grandsons of Mr. Kiffin, Benj. and W. Hewling; the latter of whom accompanied the Duke from Holland, whither he had been sent to complete his education. These interesting youths being taken prisoners, were conveyed to London, and lodged in Newgate. It having been reported, that the King meant to make examples only of a few, and leave his officers to make the best bargains they could for the remainder, Mr. Kiffin offered, through a great personage, £3000 for the lives of his grandsons. But he missed the right door; for Judge Jeffries getting scent of these contracts, in which he was not included, was provoked to the greater cruelty, insomuch that but few escaped. Among the sufferers were these unfortunate youths. During their confinement, and at the place of execution, they behaved in the most resigned, yet dignified manner; and met their deaths with the most Christian fortitude. The flintiness of the King's heart cannot be more strikingly illustrated than in the fate of these two brothers. When their sister, Hannah Hewling, presented a petition to him on

their behalf, she was introduced by Lord Churchill, afterwards Duke of Marlborough. While waiting in the anti-chamber for admittance, Lord Churchill, standing near the chimney-piece, assured her of his most hearty wishes for the success of her petition; "But, Madam, said he, I dare not flatter you with any such hopes, for that marble is as capable of feeling compassion as the King's heart."

Mr. K. was personally known to the marble-hearted James, who, no less than his brother Charles, was disposed to favour him. Having arbitrarily deprived the city of its old charter, and determined to put some Dissenters into the magistracy, he sent to Mr. K. to attend him at court. When he went thither in obedience to the King's command, he found many lords and gentlemen. The King immediately coming up to him, addressed him with all the little grace of which he was master. He talked of his "favour to the Dissenters," in the court style of the season; and concluded with telling Mr. K. "he had put him down as an alderman in his new charter:""Sire," replied Mr. K. "I am a very old man, and have withdrawn myself from all kind of business for some years past, and am incapable of doing any service in such an affair, to your Majesty or the city;besides, Sire," continues the old man, fixing his eyes stedfastly upon the King, while the tears ran down his cheeks," the death of my grandsons, gave a wound to my heart, which is still bleeding, and never will close, but in the grave!" The King was deeply struck by the manner, the freedom, and the spirit of this unexpected rebuke. A total silence ensued, while the galled countenance of James seemed to shrink from the horrid remembrance. In a minute or two, however, he recovered himself enough to say, "Mr. Kiffin, I shall find a balsam for that sore," and immediately turned about to a lord in waiting.

• Mr. K. was now placed in a very awkward situation, from which there were no means of escape. Through some lords and gentlemen about the court, he interceded with the King to reverse his appointment, but without effect. Upon this he resolved to take the advice of able counsel, who told him his danger was very great. That if he accepted the office, it would cost him 500l.; but if he refused, he might be fined from 10 to 30,000l. according to the pleasure of the judge. He, therefore, thought it better to comply. Mr. Kiffin was, also, put into the commission of the peace, and made one of the lieutenancy. But he meddled very little with civil concerns. During the nime months he continued alderman of Cheap Ward, he was held in great respect, and studied to promote the welfare of the city. At length he was discharged from the troublesome office.

Mr. Kiffin continued in the exercise of his ministry, with various colleagues, to a good old age. Like the great apostle of the Gentiles, he passed through evil report and good report; and though greatly reviled by some men on account of the unpopularity of his opinions, yet this very circumstance occasioned his being held in high reputa tion by others. Though Mr. Kiffin spent the chief part of his life in a storm, it was his happiness to die in peace. This event took place Dec. 29, 1701, in the 86th year of his age. Vol. I. pp. 407-29 [To be concluded in the next Number VAT

ART. XVI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige. the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending Information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the Public, if -consistent with its plan.

The following Publications are announc⚫ ed as in the Press.

1. Margaret of Anjou: a Poem. By Miss Holford, Author of Wallace. 4to.

2. An Enquiry into the Literary and Political Character of James I. By the Author of Curiosities of Literature. Crown 8vo.

3. Narrative of the Adventures and vels in the Interior of Africa of Robert Adams, a Sailor, who was wrecked on the Western Coast of Africa, in the Year 1810; was detained Three Years ip Slavery amongst the Arabs of the Great Desert, and resided several months at Tombuctoo. With a Map, and copious Notes, in 4to.

4. An Account of the singular Habits and Circumstances of the People of the Tonga Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean. By Mr. William Mariner, of the Port au Prince, private Ship of War; the greater Part of whose Crew was massacred by the Natives of Lesooga; Mr. Mariner remaining for several years after, a constant associate of the King and the higher Class of Chiefs. With a Vocabulary of the Language. 2 Vols. 8vo.

3. Elementary Fortification. Illustrated by upwards of Five Hundred Diagrams in Wood, and several Engravings. By Lieut.-Col. C. W. Pasley, Author of the Essay on Military Policy. 8vo.

6. A new Edition, in 8vo. of Mr. Duppa's Life of Michael Angelo. With Translations of some of his Sonnets by Southey and Wordsworth.

7. Atheniensia; or, Remarks on the Buildings and Topography of Athens. By William Wilkins, A. M. F.A.S. late Fellow of Gonvel and Caius College, Cambridge. With Plates, 8vo.

8. A System of Mechanical Philosophy, by the late John Robison, LL.D. Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University, and Secretary to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. With Notes and Illustrations, comprising the most recent Discoveries in the Physical Sciences. VOL, V. N. 9.

By David Brewster, LL.D. F.R.S.E. In 4 Vol. 8vo. with numerous Plates.

9. A new Edition of Malthus's Essay on Population, with important Additions and Einendations. In 3 Vols. 8vo.

10. A new Edition, in 2 Vols. 8vo. of Mungo Park's Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa, in the years 1795, 6,7, and during a subsequent Mission in 1805. To which is prefixed, a copious Life of Mr. Park.

**The Second Volume, in 8vo. containing Mr. Park's last Journey and Life, will be sold separately.

11. A second Editon of the late Mr.Forsyth's Remarks on Antiquities, Arts, and Letters, during an Excursion in Italy, in the Years 1802-3; with numerous and important Corrections and Additions, made by the Author previous to his recent Decease.

12. The Third Volume of Dibdin's Edition of Ames, and Herbert's curious Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain; containing engraved Portraits of Dr. Farmer, George Steevens, and Isaac Reed, with numerous Wood-cuts and Typographical Embellishments, 4to. 13. The History of the late War in Spain and Portugal. By Robert Southey, Esq. 2 Vol. 4to.

14. Observations, Anecdotes, and Characters of Books and Men. By the Rev. Joseph Spence. Arranged with Notes, a preparatory Dissertation, and Illustrations. In 8vo.

15. The Works of BenJonson, complete; carefully collated with the earliest Edi tions, and corrected; illustrated with Notes, critical and explanatory. To which is prefixed, an original Life of the Author. By William Gifford, Esq. Handsomely printed by Bulmer, in 9 Vol. 8vo.

16. Journal of a Tour on the Continent, during the Years 1813-14; comprising Descriptions of Berlin, Stockholm, Petersburg, Moscow, Smolensko, &c. By J. T. James, Esq. Student of Christ Church, Oxford. With Plates, 4to.

Kk.

The Selections of English Poetry, by Mr. Campbell, are not to appear for the present; as it has been judged better that the Critical Part of that Work, containing a View of English Poetry, should be made a part of Mr. Campbell's Lectures on Antient and Modern Poetry, which are in Prepara tion, upon a very extensive Scale.

Mr. C. Blunt, optician, is preparing for the press, a Descriptive Essay on Spectacles, and the Apparatus used to assist imperfect vision in the human eye.

P.W. Crowther, Esq. has in tho press, the Christian's Manual, compiled from a translation of the Enchiridion Militis Christiani of Erasmus, with copious scripture notes.

Memoirs of the Ionian Isles, and of their Relation with European Turkey, translated from the original manuscript of M. de Vaucondort, late General in the Italian service, is in the press, with an accurate and comprehensive map.

Mr. William Jones, late acting surgeon at Serampore, will soon publish a Collection of Facts and Opinions relative to Widows burning themselves with the dead Bodies of their Husbands, and to other destructive Customs' prevalent in British India.

Medico-chirurgical Transactions, by the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London, volume the seventh, is in a state of forwardness.

Mr. J. Ingle has in the press, the Aerial Isles, or the Visions of Malcolm, a poem, with notes.

Jane of France, a historical novel, translated from M. De Genlis, will soon appear in two volumes.

Mr. John Kirby, of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, is preparing for publication, Cases in Surgery, with Remarks.

Mr. G. M. Butt will soon publish, Sherborne Castle, and other juvenile poems.

The Rev. G. S. Faber has a volume of Sermons in the press.

The Lives of Dr. Pocock, Bp. Pearce, Bp. Newton, and Mr. Skelton, taken from the editions of their works, are printing in two octavo volumes.

A new edition, corrected and greatly enlarged, of Dr. Cove's Essay on the Revenues of the Church of England, is in the press.

A second edition of the Devout Communicant is nearly ready.

A new edition of Bp. Jeremy Taylor's Prayers, improved in the arrangement by Mr. Clapham, is in the press.

Mr. Joseph Sams, of Darlington, "is in the possession of a complete manuscript of the Pentateuch, recently procured from the continent, and deemed to be from 14 to 1500 years old. This copy is of leather, in two volumes, about two feet broad and 69 long. There is reason to believe it has been above 800 years in one Jewish family on the continent, and that it is the oldest copy of the Law in existence.

Proposals are issued for publishing by subscription, a new Translation of the Whole New Testament, that of the four Gospels being arranged in a new Harmony, with Notes critical and explana tory. By William Thomson, M. A, Minister of Ochiltree. In the Harmony, the contents of each Gospel are ar ranged according to the order of the Narration, which is shewn in the Notes to be the order of Time. The version of the whole is as literal as possible, departing as little and as seldom from the common version, as perspicuity and justness of rendering would admit. The passages, of which by a new rendering of one or more Greek words, a new sense is exhibited, are nearly two hundred: but few of them respect any doctrine. The work will make two octavo volumes, each of about 650 pages. Price to Subscribers, 11. 4s.

Dr. Styles is preparing for the press, Considerations on the Revival of Po pery in Europe, and the Character and Influence of Secular Establishments of Religion. This work will embrace a particular view of the present state of Ecclesiastical Affairs in France.

Mr. Boothroyd will publish in the course of the present month, Parts 17 and 18 of his Biblia Hebraica, which will complete that work. These parts have been somewhat delayed by the time necessarily occupied in revising the whole work, so as to mark incidental inaccuracies by an errata. Mr. Booth

royd has also at press, in a state of for wardness, Reflections on the Authorized Version of the Scriptures, Reasons for attempting its Improvement, aud Specimen of such an Attempt.

In the press, in two volumes royal quarto, a Translation of the Six Books of Proclus, on the Theology of Plato to which, a Seventh Book will be added, in order to supply the Deficiency of another Book on this Subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost; also, a Translation of Proclus' Elements of Theology. By Thomas Taylor. these Volumes will also be included, by

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the same, & Translation of the Treatise of Proclus on Providence and Fate; a Translation of Extracts from his Treafise, entitled, Ten Doubts concerning Providence; and a Translation of Extracts from his Treatise on the Subsistence of Evil; as preserved in the Bibliotheca Gr. of Fabric us. 250 Copies only will be printed. Price to Subscribers 51. 5s.-To Nonsubscribers the price will be raised.

M. Puigblanch, the Spanish Patriot, is about to publish "The Inquisition Unmasked; or the Triumph of Humanity and Liberality in Spain. Being a History of the Conduct and Objects of that Tribunal, and a Dissertation on the Necessity of its Suppression."

Mr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, has in the press, Unitarianism incapable of Vindication. in Reply to the Rev. James Yates's Vindication of Unitarianism. The work will be published as quickly as possible.

A new edition of M. Ravizotti's Italian Grammar, with considerable Improvements, in the press, and may be shortly expected,

In the press, a Descriptive Treatise on the Method of Waltzing. By Thomas Wilson, Daucing Master.

In the press, and nearly ready for publication, in two Vols. 4to, An Inquiry into the Origin and Early History of Engraving on Copper and Wood: with an Acconut of the most ancient Engravers and their Works, from the ear liest Period to the middle of the Sixteenth Century, By William Young Ottley, F.A.S. Illustrated by nume rous far-sims, and mpressions from original blocks engraved by Albert Du

Ter.

The first number is just published, of Popular Pastimes, being pcturesque represe tations, beautifully coloured, of the Customs and Amus ments of Great Britain, in Ancien and Moderų Times, accompanied with Historical descrip tions. To be continued monthly, till completed in one Volume.

The late Marquis de Lavallée, who died about a month ago, at his apartments in Leicester Square, was a most elegant French writer. He had been engaged for several years past in writing a bistory of the different factions which have agitated France, during the period of the Revolution, and had nearly completed it. He has recently been employed in writing a Biographical Memoir of Bonaparte, as also of his Ministers, Generals, &c. which will shortly. appear

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A small pocket edition of Goode's Entire New Version of the Book of Psalms is now in the press, and will be published in a few weeks.

Mr. Southey has in the press, a Pilgrimage to Waterloo, a poem, with Notes, in foolscap 8vo. illustrated by eight engravings.

Preparing for publication, the Remains of James Dusantoy, late of Emanuel College, Cambridge, with an Introduction by Robert Southey, Esq. Poet Lau

reat.

Shortly will be published the Memoirs of Thomas Hol-croft, written by himself, and continued to the time of his death, from his Diary, Notes, and other Papers, by John HayTett.

The Speeches of the Rt. Hon. Edmund Burke are in a state of forward

ness.

The Antiquary, a Novel, by the Author of Waverly and Guy Mannering, will appear in April.

The Second Volume of Mr. Southey's History of the Brazils, is nearly ready for publication.

Mr. William Salisbury has in the press, in two volumes duodecimo, the Botanist's Companion, containing Descriptions of all the Plants growing wild in this Country, and also such as are cultivated for the Purposes of Medicine, with an Account of their Virtues, Prepárations, &c. Also, Descriptions of the Nature, Uses, and Culture of the British Grasses, and other Plants useful in Agriculture, the Arts, and Rural Economy, with the best Modes of forming Meadow and Pasture Land. To which is added, a familiar Introduction to the Study of the Linnæan System of Botany, for the Use of Persons who wish to acquire a Knowledge of Plants.

***The Uses and Culture of Plants have engaged the particular attention of the Author for the last Thirty-five Years, part of which Time he has devoted to the conducting Experiments for the Board of Agriculture, and which gave him an opportunity of ascertaining many useful facts relative to the British Grasses, &c. not before noticed.

Dr. John Aikin's Annals of the Reign of King George the Third, from its commencement to the General Peace in the Year 1815, will be ready on the 2d of April, in 2 vols. 8vo.

In a considerable state of forwardness," Witt's Recreations, refined and augmented with ingenions Conceites for the Wittie, and Merrie Medicines for the

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