England since the days of Warburton. Such was his dignity of manner, and readiness in conversation, that I often introduced to him a self-sufficient foreigner, whom I wished to see humbled, knowing that there was not an individual better able to administer the wholesome discipline. I took care to have the Bishop nominated one of the original members of the Board of Agriculture, and he did ample justice to that appointment. During his residence in London, he regularly attended the meetings of the Board; and not only took an active part in all its proceedings, but drew up some useful papers for it,-in particular, an excellent introduction to the Agricultural Report of his native county of Westmoreland.

The Bishop left behind him a History of his Life, from which a number of aphorisms have been drawn up, which seem to me so extremely valuable, that out of respect to the memory of so excellent an author, I have inserted them in the Appendix.

In his published life, he has inserted two letters written to me on agricultural topics, which it is unnecessary here to reprint *. But I have much pleasure in laying before my readers, extracts from some of the other communications I had the pleasure of receiving from that great character, whose friendship I so highly valued, and whose encouragement was so strong an inducement, to prosecute the multiplied and laborious investigations, to which my attention, from time to time, was directed.

Extracts from various Letters from the Bishop of Llandaff to Sir John Sinclair.

1. "You are always employed with honour to yourself and utility to the country. You may be praised, but you will not be promoted to any beneficial situation; for Government is jealous of abilities, united with a spirit of independence and political investigation. Your Statistical Queries are all good, but they are too numerous to be answer

• One written an. 1799, (see Bishop Watson's Life, p. 333,) and another dated 26th January 1810, (see p. 515.)

ed with precision by a country clergyman. If answered, however, in part, they will lay a foundation for parochial histories, which will themselves become the corner stones of the national political history of your country." (Oct. 4. 1790.)

2. "As to this country, we have nothing to apprehend from the restlessness of a few individuals. Our constitution is fundamentally good; and it must be in an hour of extreme distress, such as the American war occasioned, that the nation at large will be brought to think that there are any defects in it. My opinion of defects in the ecclesiastical part of the constitution is well known; and I have no scruple in saying, that the corruption of Parliament, and the chicane of the law, are civil evils; but I am an enemy to any violent modes of reforming these evils. On the other hand, it may be remarked, that no corrupted body ever reformed itself;—that the expectation of the Parliament's correcting its own abuses is chimerical; -and that the law and the church have so much influence with the Parliament, that no amendment of them is to be expected from that source." (28th October 1792.)

Similar reports ought on carrots is given in

3. "I have not seen the report on potatoes. to be made on cabbages, carrots, (a good one Mr Young's Annals), turnips, clover, &c. &c. By this means knowledge would be more easily circulated than by any other, and every farmer would have an opportunity of consulting that particular report, the subject of which engaged his attention." (November 1795).

4. "Weight of taxation has long ago extinguished the yeomanry of the country. It must compel gentlemen of less than two thousand ayear, either to turn farmers, or to migrate to some country where the luxuries of life, which those of that fortune will have, may be purchased at an easier rate than they can be in Great Britain. Mr Gouverneur Morris, who staid with me two days, and whose conversation is intelligent and amusing, speaks of New York, where a man of a thousand a-year, may have as many comforts and superfluities, which custom has rendered necessaries, as he can for twice that income in England." (November 1795).

5. "I have not sent any subscription to the Board, not from a desire to save my money, but from a stern reluctance to assist, by pri

vate donation, a Board, which ought to be liberally supported by legislative munificence. When will a great minister arise, who, detesting the expenses of war, shall be disposed to expend but ten millions on the agricultural improvement of the country? This sum, (not a tenth of what this unfortunate war will cost us), would, in less than fifty years, if properly expended, double the number of the inhabitants, and quadruple the wealth and strength of Great Britain." (November 1795).

6. "I am glad that your active spirit has turned your attention to Gaelic literature, of which I know nothing but from Ossian's Poems. They are now, I presume, originals, and they are certainly simple and sublime.

"A Mr Davies lately published a learned book, entitled, Celtic Researches. I never saw the man, but was so well pleased with his work, that I have given him a living, the best almost in my patronage, and I have not above four or five. You must look upon me, then, as a cooperator, or, at least, a well-wisher in your new pursuit." (February 1796).

7. "I must think the kingdom is highly indebted to you, for bringing forward a species of knowledge, (statistics), wholly new in this country, though not new in other parts of Europe. Such knowledge constitutes the basis of enlightened legislation, and general prosperity; but it requires pains to attain it, and an enlarged mind to comprehend its utility; and the ministers of the day are so much occupied in the disgraceful operations of securing, " per fas et nefas," majorities in Parliament, that they have neither inclination to enter into, nor leisure to prosecute its inquiries." (16th August 1800).

8. "I received the statement of your improvements, &c., a post before I got your letter; and I now write, merely to express to you my high approbation of what you are doing. You are securing opulence to your family, honour to yourself, and advantage to the country. Go on and prosper." (November 10. 1802).

9. "Your Prospectus (of the Code of Health), I have read with great pleasure, and like the plan of it, though I think it upon too large a scale to be accomplished, as it ought to be, in the short time you men. tion, notwithstanding my high opinion of your genius and indefatigable

ability. Dr Hufeland says, that he spent eight years in composing his Treatise on the Art of Prolonging Life; and you talk of a few months. It will be worth your while to look into his book, and to consult a favourite author of mine,-Sanctorius." (November 1804).

10. "Your tracts on longevity I see are in the press. I cannot but admire, both the activity of your genius, and the versatility of your talents. Take care, however, that you do not injure your health. The desire of fame is as dangerous to a literary man, as that of martial celebrity is to a soldier." (October 1806).

11. "I rejoice in your being again in Parliament: your country greatly obliged to you; and the improvement in agricultural pursuits, which is observable in every county I passed through in my journey, ought to be ultimately referred to you." (July 4. 1807).

12. "To say of you that you are more indefatigable than a Scotchman, (though an high praise), is not saying half enough of you; for who but yourself would have ever thought of writing the history of a voyage from Caithness to Aberdeen? I thank you for it, and see that nothing respecting the public good escapes you." (June 1807).

13. "You are constantly distinguishing me by your attentions, and I accept them as honourable marks of the regard of a man, whose exertions, on the improvement of the country, have been uniform and successful. To you we owe the establishment of the Board of Agriculture, and to that Board we owe the spirit of rendering cultivated lands more productive, and waste lands cultivable." (6. April 1810).

14. "My head has a constant pain in it; but whether it will end in a paralytic stroke in the spring, no doctor can tell; therefore I consult none, BUT WAIT, WITH FORTITUDE AND HUMBLE trust, the EXIT OF THIS LIFE, AND THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER. Your affectionate friend,

(December 1811).

R. L." (The initials of Richard, Bishop of Llandaff.)

The above is the last letter I received from this excellent character. He died on the 4th of July 1816, in the 79th

year of his age. Some time before he died, his health had rapidly declined, and bodily exertion had become extremely irksome to him. Though his mental faculties remained unimpaired, yet he cautiously refrained from every species of literary composition, having resolved not to expose himself to the admonition of a Gil Blas.

III.

THE REV. DR CHAPMAN, VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

Having been partly educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and taking an interest in the prosperity of that celebrated University, I was happy that, in the course of my great continental tour, I had procured an ancient edict, which I thought would be acceptable in that celebrated seat of learning. It was the edict against the Bacchanals, which I had procured at Vienna. I thought it right therefore to send it to my old tutor, Dr Chapman, who was the Head of Trinity, and ViceChancellor of Oxford. His answer I subjoin.

SIR JOHN,

I had the honour of your obliging letter some days since, with a copy of the celebrated edict against the Bacchanals, which shall be properly placed in the Bodleian Library.

I beg you will accept the acknowledgments of the University for your polite attention, and believe me, Sir John, your obliged and obedient humble servant,

Trin. Coll. May 31. 1788.

Jos. CHAPMAN.

I thank

you for the map of your tour.