tion, at Rutland House, from the year 1656; whence, two years after, he removed to the Cockpit, Drury-lane, where his performances assumed a more dramatic form, and were continued to the eve of the Restoration.

At this happy period, which was hailed

as the renovation of LOYALTY and COMMON SENSE, the theatres once more reared their heads: the triumph of the arts, and elegancies of life, over the low and sordid ignorance and vulgarity that had long prevailed, diffused through the natiou the most unbounded joy and satisfaction. Sir William Davenant took the actors, who were termed the King's Company, under his immediate protection. They first performed at the RED BOLL; they then removed to a newbuilt house situated in GIBBON'S TENNIS COURT, near Clare-market, which was the place wherein Orator Henley afterward gave his lectures; and, finally, upon the erection of the new theatre on the site of the old Cockpit, Drurylane, the King's Company removed to that, where, it appears by the subsequent bill, theatrical performances commenced April 8th, 1663, *

FIRST PLAY-BILL OF DRURY-LANE

Demetrivs

Selevivs

Leontivs

Lievtenant... Ceha.......

Mr. Hart Mr. Bvrt Major Mohvn Mr. Civn

Mrs Marshall.

The play will begin at three o'clock exactlyt Boxes 4s-Pit 2s. 6d-Middle Gallery 1s. 6d Uppery Gallery 1s

Having stated what may be termed the BIRTH, we shall, from a paper of the 4th of June, 1791, in conclusion, quote

THE DEATH OF OLD DRURY.

"On Saturday night, of a gradual decay, and in the 117th year of her age, died Old

* In the last edition of the Biograpina Dramatica, there is a mistake of one year in the date: it is there stated to be April 8th, 1662. + It is a curious circumstance, that since the period of this bill, the commencement of theatrical performances has, by regular gracations, advanced four hours nearer to midnight.

Madam Drury, who existed through sir reigns, and saw many generations pass in review before her. She remembered Betterton in his declining age; lived in intimacy with Wilkes, Booth, and Cibber; and knew old Macklin when he was a stripling.

"Her hospitality exceeded that of the Enghsh character even in its early days of

festivity, having almost through the whole of her life entertained from one to two thousand persons of both sexes six nights out of seven in the seek. She was an excellent poetess, could be grave and gay by turns, and yet so neunes (catching the disorder from intrusive guests) could be dull enough in all cone

science.

Her memory was most excellent, and her singing kept on in such a gradual state of

improvement, that it was allowed her voice

was better the three or four last years of her life, than when she was in her prime at the latter end of the last century.

"She had a route of near two thousand people at her house the very night of her death; and the old lady found herself in such high spirits, that she said she would give them "No Supper" without a "Song;" which being complied with, she fell gently back in her chair, and expired without a groan.

"Dr. Palmer (one of her family physicians) attended her in her last moments, and announced her dissolution to the company."

ANECDOTE of POPE INNOCENT XI,

B

ENEDICTUS ODESCHALCHI was ➤ born at Como, in the duchy of Milan. Through every ecclesiastical gradation, he was at length advanced to the dignity of cardinal. His election to the Pontificate was attended with the greatest contention, both within and without the conclave, that had ever been known; and it has been supposed that his elevation became absolutely necessary, to reconcile the opposite parties and interests. On his accession he assumed the name of INNOCENT; and when he had reigned but even a short period, so observable was his liberality, in an age when liberality in matters of religion was not very conspicuous, that he obtained the further appellation of the protestant Pope: though this, it is said, was more frequently applied to his political than to his sacerdotal character. He was, however, at all times, remarkable for his affability and urbanity of manners, and, of all the visitors to the Vatican, appeared to treat the English with the greatest attention, and even to grant what might be deemed a moral concession, namely, liberty of speech, which he had frequer teccasion

to observe they exercised ad libitum, even upon religious subjects, because he well knew it to be

"A consequential ill that freedom draws." Of this an instance is recorded, which shews at once his good-nature and generosity.

An English gentleman, in the course of his travels, arrived at Rome, and be ing desirous 10 be introduced to the Pope, took the official means to have his wish intimated at the Vatican. The jealous policy of the papal administration at that period (the latter end ofthe seventeenth century) made them acquainted with the character of every stranger that entered the dominions of the holy see. Innocent heard, of course, that the traveller was a man of consequence and of learning: he therefore received nim with the greatest politeness, and discoursed with him with the greatest freedom.

In the progress of their conversation, the Pope said, "Sir, if I do not mistake, I saw you at high mass at St. Peter's yesterday."

"Your holiness cannot mistake," returned the gentleman, smiling.

The Pope, who in a moment saw that he really had made a mistake with respect to his infallibity, to which the gentleman had, in his reply, most delicately alluded, immediately turned the discourse, by saying, "Well, you saw me yesterday in my habits of ceremony, and you know the title which the people of your nation have honoured me with: what do you now think of the Pope's being the Antichrist.

The gentleman, fearful of giving offence, asked his Holiness if he would give him leave to deliver his sentiments freely.

The Pope promised him that he would. The gentleman then said, "If, as in former times, a hue and cry had been raised in my country after the Antichrist, and I had met your holiness in the dress you wore yesterday, though I should not have affirmed you to be the person, I believe I should have apprehended you on a violent suspicion."

"I apprehend you now," said the Pope, "though not in the manner to which you allude; for whatsoever my habit might have been, it is at present always to grant the most liberal indulgences to national prejudices."

AccOUNT of the late EDWARD KING, Esq. F.R.S. F.S.A. Lon. & Ed. Soc. Ant. Cassel. Sod. &c.

T

HIS

very learned and estimable man, who has so recently paid the debt of nature, was descended from an ancient and wealthy family, which, in the time of the cruel persecutions of the Duke of Alva, fled from the Netherlands, and settled in the county of Norfolk. His father married Sarah, eldest daughter of Thomas Cater, Esq. of the before mentioned county; of which marriage the only issue was Mr. King, of whose learned labours and life we are about to present some account to our readers.

Mr. KING was born at Norwich, in 1734. From his earliest years he applied himself to books, and from his progress in his juvenile studies, which were in a great measure directed by Dr. Clark, the Dean of Norwich, and brother of the celebrated Dr. Samuel Clark, he afforded an early presage of eminence in learning. At the age of eighteen, he was entered of Clare Hall, Cambridge, as a fellow-commoner, where he resided about seven years, and where he was distinguished beyond most of his colleagues for his proficiency in the scholastic exercises, and for the correctness of his private conduct. While at college, our young student was particularly fortunate in enjoying the countenauce and friendship of some of the leading characters in the university; among the foremost of whom, was the celebrated Dr. Long, the master of Pembroke Hall, and Lowndes professor of astronomy, who contracted with Mr. King a very close intimacy: an intimacy which continued without any interruption until the decease of Dr. Long, in 1770.

Having completed his academical education, Mr. King gave himself up to the study of the law, and, in due course, was called to the bar, by the honourable society of Lincoln's Inu, and practiced in the court of Chancery, and on the Norfolk circuit. He, however, continued at the bar but a few years; for the death of his father having taken place, and finding himself, in consequence of that event, in the possession of an independent fortune, he determined to devote the remainder of his life to pursuits more congenial with his taste and dispositions. s. That he was not, however, indifferent to the studies of the legal profession while he continued in it, and of the business of which he had a considerable share for a young practitioner, evidently appears from the large collection of MSS. in his own hand-writing on law subjects which are inthe possession of his family. It is also to be remarked, that during his practice in the courts, he was remarkable for the scrupulous pains which he took to make himself master of the contents of his brief, and all the circumstances of his case, under the conscientious impression that he was bound to attend to those interests of his client, comunitted to his charge, as much as to any important concern of his own.

In the year 1765, Mr. King married Susannah, the youngest daughter of William Blower, Esq. of the Mythe, in Leicestershire, who survives to lament the loss of a husband to whom she was endeared by every tie of connubial regard and affection.

The first literary production of Mr. King was An Essay on the English Constitution and Government, in octavo; a learned and ingenious work, which shews the author to have possessed an intimate knowledge of general history, and to have deeply studied the origin and progress of our form of government. Bishop Hurd, in his Dialogues, had shewn, that every change made in our constitution was in favour of liberty; and the design of this essay was to go one step farther, and to shew how that came to be the case. The first edition of the essay bears the date of 1767, and describes its author, in the title-page, as of Lincoln's Inn. His forensic studies not improbably bent his mind to the consideration of the subject, which he therein discusses.

In 1773, he produced A Letter addressed to Dr. Hawkesworth, and humbly recommended to the Perusal of the very learned Deists. It is short, and contains some severe, but just strictures on an unguarded passage in Dr. Hawkesworth's account of the voyages of the circumnavigators of that period, respecting providential deliverances.

In 1777, he communicated to the Society of Antiquaries an elaborate memoir, which is published in the fourth volume of the Archæologia, on the Castellated Remains of past ages; by an inattention to which remains, and to the curious devices of their artificial structure, many, even of the most curious, circumstances of history are rendered both uninstructive and uninte

resting. This valuable memoir was followed, in 1782, by a much fuller one, accompanied by more accurate drawings, and which enriched the sixth volume of the Archæologia. These two memoirs were, in the same year, put together in an elegant quarto, of which but seventy copies were printed for the use of the author's friends, with the title of Observations on Ancient Castles.

In 1780, Mr. King published his much admired Hymns to the Supreme Being, in Imitation of the Eastern Songs, 12mo. In these hymns, the amiable and excellent writer seems to have poured forth his whole soul. They are the effusions of a most pious, enlarged, and elegant mind. We envy not the feelings of that person, who can peruse these lofty and touching strains of religious adoration and praise, without emotions which are much easier conceived than described. Being at first published without a name (in which state they went through a spurious edition), the hymns were attributed to the pen of Cowper; but in a subsequent impression, Mr. King avowed himself to be the author of them.

In 1783, the philanthropic mind of Mr. King induced him to send forth a small tract, entitled, Proposals for establishing at Sea a Marine School, or Seminary for Seamen, addressed, in a letter to his friend, John Frere, Esq. one of the Vice-Presidents of the Marine Society.

In 1788, he presented to the learned world his Morsels of Criticism, tending to illustrate some few Passages in the Holy Scriptures upon Philosophical Principles and an enlarged l'iew of Things, a thick quarto. Mr. King possessed an original mind, and certainly some of the ideas contained in this volume must be allowed to be of a novel and eccentric kind; a remark which may justly be applied, to parts of some of his other performances. But the erudition which is displayed in the volume before us, the ardent piety which runs through every page of it, and the striking and instructive views, which it developes with respect to some of the prophetic writings, very deservedly contributed to raise the reputation of our author. This volume was published several years (and was probably prepared still more) before the occurrence of those great and extraordinary events which have disordered the civilized world, and shaken the social edifice to its very centre, but those events, in their leading

circumstances, seem to have been as exactly described, as if they had been known to the writer. In his explanation of the twenty-fourth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, principally of the twenty-ninth verse, he observes as follows:-" We may remark, if the words are to be understood as spoken merely emblematically, then the images made use of are such as are well known to predict (consistently with their constant use in many other parts of prophecy) a great destruction and almost annihilation of many of those lawful powers which rule on earth, however beneficial any of them may be to the earth; and A DREADFUL LESSENING OF

THE DIGNITY AND SPLENDOUR OF ALL GREATNESS, and a subversion of al' good order andeivilgovernment. Than which nothing can be expected more formidable. Dreadful indeed," adds be, "inust be A TIME (if such a one is to come) WHEN men are let loose upon each other, possessed of all their present improvements and advantages, but unrestrained either by law or civilgovernment, or by conscience and good principle; scorning the admonition and authority of those who ought to maintain justice, and assisted by the more rude and barbarous parts of the world, whom they shall find too ready to increase THE UNIVER SAL UPROAR." And at the conclusion of his Remarks on the Revelations, chap. xvi. v. 13 and 14, he says, "Here, while we maintain due reverential fear, our interpretation must end. Nothing

but the events themselves, when they come to pass, can rightly explain the rest. And they will certainly speak LOUDLY ENOUGH, for themselves, as those before them have done. Only I must just remark, that it seems as if persecution, and the horrid infiuences of ignorance and barbarism, were allowed to produce their dire effects during the first part of the period of time described under the vials; and as if IRRELIGION, VANITY, AND A TOTAL WANT OF ALL SERIOUS PRINCIPLE, AND A MISAPPLICATION OF THE REFINEMENTS OF CIVILIZATION, were to be ALLOWED to produce THEIR MISCHIEF also, at the latter end of that period."-" It will be happy for those who shail live some years hence, if they can prove me guilty of a mistake in this point. I speak and write with cautious reverence and fear, acknowledging that I am liable to error, and by no means pretending to prophecy; but still apprehending myself bound not to conceal the truth, where

any matter appears to be revealed in Holy Scripture; and especially when the bringing an impending denunciation to light (if it be a truth) may be an awful warning and caution to many, AND PREVENT THEIR BECOMING ACCESSORY TO EVIL."

The unknown author of the Pursuits of Literature, in a note, in which he calls the public attention, "with much earnestress," to the Morsels of Criticism, referring to the above and other equally striking passages, emphatically observes, "Thus did this very learned and most pious man, in a strain of serious, temperate, and impressive eloquence, deliver his opinion and his interpretation. They will stand before us and posterity, as the memorial of that lonely wisdom and reverential application of the Divine Word, and of that silent dignity which can alone be attained by a retirement (at intervals) from the world which God has made to HIM alone, and by that worship, in spirit and in truth, which, when joined to human erudition and to the sober cultivation of the understanding, will produce FRUIT UNTO LIFE."

The humility of mind and sober caution with which Mr. King, in the volume to which we have referred, ventures his opinions, or, as he diffidently calls them, apprehensions, cannot be too much admired. "He never forgets" (to quote the words of the ingenious and acute author already mentioned) "the nature of the subjects he is treating. He seems to approach the sacred writings with that prostration of mind, that distrust of his own powers, and that selfabasement, which are required of those who desire to look into the hidden things of God."-" I speak," continues this writer, " of the spirit by which he appears to me to be conducted, and (1 repeat it) I speak from the work I shall contend for no interpretations given by Mr. King or by any other man; but I may propose them to public consideration; for I never observed more caution and more wariness than in this writer."

aline.

Another, volume was added to the Morscis of Criticism, by way of supplement, in 1800.

In 171, our author published in Imitation of the Prayer of Abel, in the Style of Eastern zoetry, in quarto; which afforded another instance of the fer our of his piety, and the grandeur of his conceptions of the worship due to the Divine Being.