The Terra Filius was published twice a week according to the custom introduced by the Tatler, commencing on Wednesday January 11th, 1721, and coneluding with the 50th number, on Saturday July 6th, of the following year.

He continued the attack in a poem entitled "Oculus Britanniæ," published 1721, and in a volume of miscellanies containing for the most part pieces composed when at the university.

What other literary works he engaged in, between the termination of this paper and the commencement of the more celebrated one named "The Craftsman," which first appeared in December 1726, or whether he was employed on any, does not appear. The main object of this paper was to attack the ministry of Sir Robert Walpole, and it was continued twice in the week for many years, with much spirit and success. He is said to have been assisted in this work by the great leaders of the opposition of that day, particularly by Bolinbroke, and Pulteney, afterwards Earl of Bath.

The Craftsman was edited under the assumed name of Caleb D'Anvers, but Amhurst was the avowed conductor. It was a work of first rate merit, and attained greater popularity than any previous publication of its kind; ten or twelve thousand copies are said to have been sold of every impression, Though its main object was to attack the ministry of the day, and serve the purposes of the party in opposition, yet it was not absolutely confined to temporary or political topics; many papers on general subjects of literature were admitted, and much wit, humour, and argumentation, frequently displayed. The best pieces were re-published in the Gentleman's Magazine of that time as they

appeared, and a general collection was formed in 1731, consisting of fourteen volumes in 12mo. It continued many years after the death of Amburst. Of the spirit and style of this celebrated paper, the following is perhaps a fair specimen,

From the Craftsman of April 21st, 1739.

"M. D'Aubigny, grandfather of Madam Maintenon, tells a very remarkable story of himself, which ought to be a warning to all free nations, against the growth of corruption. He was one of the heads of the Protestants, in the reign of Henry the fourth of France, and opposed the court with so much vigour, that the king was determined to take away his life, or confine him in the Bastille. M. D'Aubigny being privately informed of it, considered how to preserve himself. After many deliberations, he resolved to go to court, and beg a pension of the king, as the surest method. The king very much surprised, as well as pleased, to see a man of such high spirit grow mercenary, immediately embraced him, and granted his request. court, he went to the Duke de Sully, the prime minister, who congratulated him on the occasion, and shewed him the Bastille; assuring him that he would have been a prisoner there in less than 24 hours, though now in no farther danger.

From

"This introduction to my paper, will, perhaps, make those stupid animals the Gazetteers, perk up their ears, as if I had changed my note, and was beginning to inculcate this courtly doctrine to the worthy patriots of Great Britain-that a pension is a much better thing than a prison, but let the fools have a little patience, and they will find that I urge this only as an example,

which ought to give all free nations warning; for when once corruption grows prevalent, it is a crime not to be corrupt. In such a case, any nobleman of great distinction and virtue, who should refuse to accept of a pension would be marked out as an enemy to the government, and might expect the following expostulation: Why, my Lord, should you make any scruple of accepting his Majesty's gracious offer? Do not you see that many Dukes, Earls, &c. think it no indignity, or reflection upon their characters, to accept of an honourable stipend from the crown? What can you conceive to have been the intention of granting so large a civil list? Petimusque damusque vicissim.— The bounties of the crown are not to be slighted and refused,-would you pass for a jacobite? The very refusal of it carries a reflection against his Majesty, as if he was pursuing some unwarrantable measure, and may prove very detrimental to his service.'

"But the grand mercenaries of all countries, ought to consider that corruption must at last destroy itself, and the constitution too. Corruption begets corruption, which naturally introduces luxury, and luxury is the certain forerunner of national poverty. What can be the consequences of this but some terrible convulsion, and the experience of the last century furnishes us with a terrible example, that whichever side prevails, it must end in the destruction of the constitution? The cord may bear straining to a great length, but it must break at last. Corruption in a state, is like dramdrinking among private persons: which is apt to grow upon them 'till it destroys their vitals.-I have heard of a woman who had accustomed herself so much to gin, that by degrees she came to drink three gallons in a

day; but it soon put an end ro her miserable life,-I wish, therefore, that there was a Corruption Act, as well as a Gin Act, the former being so much the more necessary than the latter, as the preservation of the whole community is preferable to the safety of individuals.

"I could carry on this parallel with humour, and even form a sketch of an Act of Parliament-The preamble might run thus:—

"Whereas great inconveniences have arisen, and do daily arise, from the excessive use of corruption, and by the wicked, pernicious, and infamous practice of taking bribes; whereby many of his Majesty's good subjects are diverted from pursuing their own and their country's interest, to the great discouragement of honesty, the manifest detriment of trade and commerce, and the imminent danger of utter ruin to these kingdoms. Therefore, may it please your most excellent Majesty, that it be enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from and after the day of in the year of our Lord 1739, no man in England, the dominion of Wales, or the town of Berwick upon Tweed, (for I would not as yet extend the act any farther) shall for the future under any pretence, take or receive, or cause to be taken or received, any pension, bribe, gratuity, gift, bounty, or reward, whatsoever.

"And be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that all contracts and agreements, for the receiving, paying, or delivering, any money, bonds, bills, stock, or any other pecuniary rewards, shall be null and void to all intents and purposes whatsover.

"And for the better discovery of such evil and

pernicious practices, every person shall be obliged to take the following oath.

"And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that every person offending against the act, shall upon conviction, forfeit treble the value of any such place, pension, or bribe: one moiety thereof to be paid to the informer, and the other moiety to the poor of the parish, where the offender may happen to reside.

"Provided always, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that any person who will submit to be branded with the name of Rogue, Rascal, or Pensioner, on his face, or have a broad R. clapt on his back, denoting to whom he belongs, may still have, 6 receive, and enjoy a pension, not exceeding two hundred guineas per annum, any thing in this act to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding.

"Nothing tends so effectually to encourage and propagate this destructive vice of corruption, as the keeping up old party names and distinctions, when the essential differences should be swallowed up in a general concern for the public good. This may be of great use to a wicked and declining minister, but is certain death to the people, if they are foolish enough to bite at so naked a hook.

"It is so far from being right to keep up the old distinctions of Whig and Tory, that I think even those of Court and County, ought to be laid aside. All persons who sincerely mean the preservation of the constitution, and the present happy establishment, may co-operate, and must have the same views. I have shewn in a former paper, that old Whigs may drop their principles, whilst they only pursue the same guide