Expedition against Senegal-Fort Lewis and Senegal

taken-Unsuccessful Attempt upon Goree-Expedi-

tion to Cape Breton-Louisbourg taken-and St.

John's-Unsuccessful Attempt upon Ticonderoga-

Fort Frontenac taken and destroyed by the English
-Brigadier Forbes takes Fort Du Quesne-Goree

taken-Shipwreck of Captain Barton-Gallant Ex-State of the Island of Martinique-Expedition against

ploit of Captain Tyrrel-Transactions in the East-

Indies-Admiral Pococke engages the French Fleet

-Fort St. David's taken by the French-Second

Engagement between Admiral Pococke and M.

d'Apché-Progress of M. Lally-Transactions on

the Continent of Europe-King of Prussia raises

Contributions in Saxony, and the Dominions of the

Duke of Wirtemberg-State of the Armies on the

Continent-The French King changes the Admin-

istration of Hanover-Plan of a Treaty between

the French King and the Landgrave of Hesse-Cas-

sel-Treaty between the French King and the Duke

of Brunswick-Decree of the Aulic Council against

the Elector of Hanover and others-Bremen taken

CONTENTS TO SMOLLETT.

tion-Message from the King to the House of Com-

mons-Court of Versailles amuses the English Min-

istry-Session closed.......

Motives of the War in Germany-Conspiracy in Swe-

den-Measures taken by the King of Prussia and

Elector of Hanover-Endeavors of the Court of Vi-

enna to frustrate them-His Prussian Majesty De-

mands an Explanation from the Empress-queen-

Her Answer-The Prussian Army enters Saxony,

and publishes a Manifesto-Prince Ferdinand takes

Leipsic-King of Prussia takes Possession of Dres.

den, and blocks up the King of Poland at Pirna-

Prussian Army penetrates into Bohemia, and fights

the Battle of Lowoschutz-Saxon Army surrenders

-King of Poland's Memorial to the States-General

-Imperial Decrees published against the King of

Prussia-Declarations of Different Powers-His

Prussian Majesty's Answer to the Saxon Memorial

-And Justification of his Conduct-Remarks on

both those Pieces-Disputes between the Parlia

ment of Paris and the Clergy-Dearth of Corn in

England-Hanoverian Auxiliaries sent back-Ses-

sion opened-Debates on the Address-Bill passed

for prohibiting the Exportation of Corn-Message

to the House concerning Admiral Byng-Supplies

granted-Reflections on the Continental War-

Messages from the King to the Parliament-Mea-

sures taken to remove the Scarcity of Corn-Militia

Bill-Petitions for and against it-Altered by the

Lords-Bill for quartering the Foreign Troops, and

for regulating the Marines while on Shore-Bill for

the more speedy recruiting the Land-forces and Ma-

rines-Act relating to Pawnbrokers and Gaming-

houses-Laws relating to the Wages of Weavers,

and to the Improvement of the British Fishery-

Act for importing American Iron, Duty free-Reg-

ulations with respect to the Importation of Silk-

Smugglers encouraged to enter into his Majesty's

Service-Inquiry into the Scarcity of Corn-Inves-

tigation of the Loss of Minorca-Examination of

the American Contract-Inquiry into the Conduct

of Admiral Knowles, as Governor of Jamaica-Res-

olution concerning Milford-Haven-Session closed

-Trial of Admiral Byng-Recommended to Mercy

-Message from the King to the Parliament, re-

specting the Sentence-Bill to Release the Members

of the Court-Martial from their Oath of Secrecy-

Execution of Admiral Byng-Paper delivered by

him to the Marshal of the Admiralty-Remarks on

his Fate.....

LIFE OF DR. SMOLLETT.

TOBIAS SMOLLETT was born in the parish of quitted the service of the navy, in disgust, and reCardross, Dumbartonshire, in 1721, and was de-sided for some time in the island of Jamaica, scended from an ancient and honorable family. where he first became acquainted with Anne His father, Archibald, was the youngest son of Lascelles, a beautiful and accomplished lady, Sir James Smollett of Bonhill, a gentleman who whom he afterwards married. espoused the cause of the revolution, in 1688, and who was one of the commissioners for framing the treaty of union between England and Scotland. Archibald married Miss Barbara Cunningham, of Gilbertfield, in the neighborhood of Glasgow, a lady of taste and elegance, by whom he had two sons and a daughter; but dying shortly after the birth of the latter, his family was left dependent on the bounty of the grandfather.

He returned to London in 1746; and in Autumn began his literary career by publishing "Advice, a Satire," in 4to. This performance, from its peculiar acrimony, was more calculated to raise him powerful enemies than to advance his reputation by the display of his talent. In 1747, he published "Reproof, a Satire," a second part of the former, written with equal energy of expression, and acrimony of censure.

Tobias, the younger son, was instructed in the At this period, his attachment to Miss Lascelles rudiments of classical learning at the school of was rewarded by the possession of her hand, and Dumbarton, and early exhibited that vigorous un- the expectation of a fortune of three thousand derstanding and lively wit which characterized pounds in West Indian property. He hired a genhis future life. After the ordinary course of school teel house, and lived in a style of elegance and education, he was removed to Glasgow, where he hospitality, agreeable to his own generous dispoprosecuted his studies with diligence and success. sition, and suitable to the taste and education of Here he formed an intimacy with some students his wife, in expectation of receiving the fortune of medicine, which-more than any predilection that belonged to her, of which, however, he obfor the study-determined him to embrace the tained little or nothing, after a vexatious and exprofession of physic; and, by the advice of his re-pensive litigation, which involved him in considlations, he was put apprentice to Mr. John Gor-erable pecuniary difficulties.

don," a surgeon of extensive practice, and a man He had recourse to his pen for subsistence; and of integrity and benevolence. During his appren- in 1748 published his "Adventures of Roderick ticeship, he studied anatomy and medicine, under Random," which had a rapid and extensive sale, the different professors of the university; and and brought him both reputation and money. It found leisure, at the same time, to cultivate the is generally esteemed his best novel. It has been study of the belles lettres, and to indulge his wit supposed to contain the real history of the author's in occasional satires, which are said to have pos- life; but although Roderick is sometimes placed sessed a considerable portion of that species of in situations similar to those in which Smollett had humor for which he was afterwards so much dis- been, there are many circumstances in the story tinguished. very different from those which belonged to the author himself.

While in his eighteenth year, he composed a tragedy, founded on the assassination of James I. of Scotland, which was afterwards published under the title of "The Regicide," and which is regarded as an extraordinary production at so early a period of his life.

In 1749, his tragedy of "The Regicide," after having been exposed during a period of ten years to the censure of critics of all degrees, and finally rejected by the managers of the theatres, was published in 8vo. by subscription. To the play, the About this time, his grandfather, who had hith- author prefixed a preface, giving a minute detail erto maintained him, died; and it was found that of the numerous difficulties and disappointments he had made little or no provision for the chil- he encountered, in attempting to get his piece dren of his youngest son. Our author's apprentice- brought on the stage, and containing some very ship and medical studies, however, were nearly severe reflections on Lord Lyttleton and Garrick, finished; and he determined to leave Scotland, which he afterwards regretted, and retracted in and try his fortune in London. At the age of nine-handsome terms.

teen, he accordingly set out, to solicit employment In the summer of 1750, he went to Paris, where in the army or navy, and to bring his tragedy upon he fell in with an old acquaintance, and brother the stage, with no other helps than a small sum of novelist, Dr. Moore, who accompanied him in money, a large assortment of letters of recom- some of his excursions. While in France, he wrote mendation, the fruitful resources of a mind stored his " Adventures of Peregrine Pickle," which was with professional knowledge and general litera- published in 1751, in four vols. and received with ture, a rich vein of humor, a lively imagination, extraordinary avidity. The "Memoirs of a Lady and an engaging person and address.

On his arrival in London, he was unsuccessful in getting his tragedy introduced upon the stage, but succeeded in procuring the situation of surgeon's mate to a ship of the line. He entered on board one of the largest ships of the fleet, in the unfortunate expedition to Carthagena, in 1741, of which he published a brief but spirited account in his Roderick Random, and afterwards a more circumstantial narrative in "A Compendium of Voyages," 1756, 7 vols. In the West Indies, he

of Quality," (Lady Vane) introduced in the work, the materials of which she herself furnished, excited much attention at the time, and contributed greatly to its success.

On his return to England, having obtained the degree of Doctor of Physic from a foreign university, he announced himself as a physician, by a publication, entitled, "An Essay on the External Use of Water, with Remarks upon the present method of using the Mineral Waters at Bath," &c. 1752. This performance-the only one in the line of his profession which he is known to have pub*Smollett is erroneously supposed to have drawn lished-advanced his reputation as a man of scithe character of this worthy man, under the name of ence; but, though possessed of superior endow Potion, in his Roderick Random. In Humphrey Clinkments, and many scientific qualifications, he failed er he mentions him by naine in very flattering terms. in rising to professional eminence and wealth. It

is supposed that his irritable temper, increased by the teasing and uncomfortable circumstances of the profession, and his contempt for the low arts of servility, suppleness, and cunning, were the real causes of his failure.

subsisted between him and our author; and the latter was now as honest and open in expressing his gratitude towards him, as he had been in expressing his resentment.

In 1758, Smollett published his "Complete His. Disappointed, or perhaps too soon discouraged, tory of England, from the descent of Julius Cæsar in soliciting employment as a physician, he re- to the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748," in four solved to assume the character and avocation of an author by profession, and dedicate his life to the cultivation of general literature. Accordingly, he fixed his residence at Chelsea; and his genius, learning, and industry were equally employed in the several departments of novel-writing, of writing for the booksellers, of writing for the stage, and of writing for a party.

vols. 4to. It is said that this work was composed and finished for the press in fourteen months-an effort to which nothing but the most distinguished abilities, and the most vigorous application, could have been equal. It was followed in 1761 by his "Continuation of the History of England," which was completed in four vols. 8vo. in 1762, and a fifth vol. in 1765, which brought down the history In 1753, he published his "Adventures of Fer- to that period. In 1766, it was published in two dinand Count Fathom," in two vols. This novel vols. 4to, with his last corrections, and a general did not obtain such extensive popularity as his index.

former ones; yet it displays the same spirit and While in confinement in the King's-Bench Prisvivacity, the same facility and variety of expres-on, his abilities were exercised in writing “The sion, which characterize his other writings, and in Adventures of Sir Lancelot Greaves," which was some parts exhibits a power in serious description first printed in detached portions, in the British which none of his other works come up to. Magazine for 1760 and 1761. As a whole, it is

His next publication was a translation of Don much inferior to his other novels, though not withQuixote. It appeared in 1755, two vols. 4to. For out scenes and characters demonstrative of the this work Smollett was eminently qualified; but genuine humor, satirical talents, and benevolent he too often wrote in such circumstances, that heart of the writer. dispatch was his primary object; and finding va- The sudden advancement of the Earl of Bute, rious English translations at hand, someumes a native of Scotland, and a tory, to the chief mansaved himself the labor of original composition. agement of public affairs, rendered him an object The preference is still given to the translation of of national jealousy, suspicion, and aversion, so his predecessor, Motteaux, who is thought to dis- that he found it necessary to employ some able play the ludicrous solemnity of the knight, and the writers to reconcile the public to his elevation, native humor of the squire, with more felicity of and to defend the measures of his administration. expression, and propriety of allusion. Among others, Smollett was prevailed upon to He now made a journey, which he had long defend the unpopular measures that had attended meditated, to his native country. He visited his his elevation; and, on the first day of his patron's mother, who then resided with her daughter, Mrs. promotion, he published the first number of a Telfer, at Scotstown, in Peebleshire, where he weekly paper, entitled "The Briton." In opposipassed some time; and before returning to Eng- tion to this, Wilkes started "The North Briton," land, indulged still further his early recollections, the first number of which appeared on the 5th of by visiting various parts of the kingdom, particu- June, 1762. This paper, in which Wilkes was aslarly Glasgow, the scene of his early friendships sisted by Churchill, declared hostilities against the and boyish pastimes, where he spent two very agreeable days with Dr. Moore, then an eminent physician there, and some of his old companions, to whom he was attached with unshaken steadi

ness.

ministry and the Scottish nation, and attracted the attention of the public from the acrimonious boldness with which it was written. Smollett, unlike his opponent, was not formed with that insensibility and coolness that is necessary for political conOn his return to London, he was prevailed on to troversy. By the force of invective, popular arguundertake the chief direction of "The Critical Re- ment, and personal abuse, he was completely deview," which commenced in 1756, and espoused feated; and on the 12th of February 1763, The the cause of the tories and high church party, in Briton was stopped. Smollett afterwards found opposition to "The Monthly Review." This en- reasons for altering his opinion of Lord Bute, gagement was long a source of disquiet to Smollett, when he wrote his "History and Adventures of and involved him in a variety of disputes. The an Atom," published in 1769, a political romance, severity of some of his criticisms tempted incensed exhibiting, under Japanese names, the characters authors to retaliate; and the boldness of some of and conduct of the leaders of party in Great Brit his censures brought on him more than one trou-ain from 1754 to 1767-8.

blesome and expensive litigation. Of the former, A heavy domestic calamity-the death of an the disputes with Drs. Shebbeare, Grainger, and only child, a daughter, in her fifteenth year-toHill, may be mentioned; and of the latter, the gether with the bad state of his own health, and most important perhaps was the prosecution of the earnest request of his wife, determined him to Admiral Knowles, for an article in the Review, leave England, and spend some time in a foreign of which Smollett avowed himself the writer, and for which he was fined in one hundred pounds, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment in the King's-Bench Prison.

country, and milder climate. Accordingly in June, 1763, he went abroad, and continued in France and Italy about two years. On his return, in 1766, he published his "Travels through France and Soon after the commencement of the Critical Italy," in the form of letters. In the course of his Review, he published, anonymously, "A Compen- travels, he seems to have labored under a condium of Authentic and Entertaining Voyages," in stant fit of ill-humor; and his letters afford a melseven vols. 12mo.; a popular compilation, in which ancholy proof of the influence of bodily pain over he introduced his own account of the expedition the best disposition. against Carthagena.

Soon after this publication, at a time when he

In 1757, he wrote a national piece called "The felt his strength declining, and his mind depressed Reprisal, or the Tars of Old England," which was with sorrow, he set out on a journey to his native acted at Drury Lane, with good success, and is country-a journey probably undertaken from a still a popular after-piece. The candor and cor- sense of his approaching dissolution, and a desire diality which Garrick displayed in bringing for- of seeing his mother and other relations, before ward this comedy, closed the breach which had he should be separated from them for ever. He VOL. III. 2

arrived in Edinburgh, in June, 1766; and having portioned, his countenance engaging, his manner passed some time with his mother, he proceeded, reserved, with a certain air of dignity that seemed with his sister, to Glasgow; from whence, after to indicate that he was not unconscious of his own they had made a short stay, they went, accompa- powers. He was of a disposition so humane and nied by Dr. Moore, to Cameron, the residence of generous, that he was ever ready to serve the unhis cousin, Mr. Smollett, of Bonhill, on the banks fortunate, and on some occasions to assist them beof Lochlomond. He left Scotland about the latter yond what his circumstances could justify. Though end of August, without any alleviation of his com- few could penetrate with more acuteness into plaints, and proceeded directly to Bath, with a character, yet none was more apt to overlook mispleasing impression on his mind of the affectionate conduct when attended with misfortune. As noattention which had been shown him by his rela- thing was more abhorrent to his nature than perttions, acquaintance, and countrymen in general, ness or intrusion, few things could render him of whom he had taken a last farewell. more indignant than a cold reception. To this, He spent the winter in Bath; and in the begin- however, he imagined he had sometimes been ning of the year 1767, his health and spirits were exposed on his applications in favor of others; for surprisingly restored. During his convalescence himself he never made an application to any he wrote his Adventures of an Atom, already great man in his life. Free from vanity, Smollett mentioned. His complaints, however, soon recur- had a considerable share of pride, and great senred with violence; and he was advised to try the sibility; his passions were easily moved, and too influence of the Italian climate. impetuous when roused; he could not conceal his contempt of folly, his detestation of fraud, nor refrain from proclaiming his indignation against every instance of oppression. Though he possessed a versatility of style in writing, which he could pleness in his conduct. He could neither stoop to impose on credulity, nor humor caprice. He was of an intrepid, independent, imprudent disposition, equally incapable of deceit and adulation, and more disposed to cultivate the acquaintance of those he could serve, than of those who could serve him. What wonder that a man of his character was not, what is called, successful in life?

He set out for Italy, accompanied by his wife, early in the year 1770, with a constitution reduced to the last state of debility; and after residing a short time at Leghorn, he retired to Monte Novo, in the neighborhood. While here, he published, in accommodate to every character, he had no sup1771, his "Expedition of Humphrey Clinker," in which he represented, truly and humorously, his own character under that of Matthew Bramble, and inserted the observations he made on visiting his native country, and the scenes of infancy. This novel was read with general approbation on its first appearance; and is still considered as among the most entertaining and agreeable of his works. It was the last publication Smollett gave to the world; and betrays no diminution of his native vigor of imagination and muscular humor.

He lingered through the summer, during which his strength sunk gradually, but he retained his fortitude and composure, as well as the full use of his faculties, to the last, and died at his house in the neighborhood of Leghorn, on the 21st of October, 1771, in the fifty-first year of his age.

The predominant excellencies of his mind were fertility of invention, vigorous sense, brilliant fancy, and versatile humor. His understanding was quick and penetrating, his imagination lively, his memory retentive, and his humor original. His writings must be allowed as proofs of a versatility as well as fecundity of talents seldom exceeded by any writer in the same period of years. He had an extensive knowledge, not only in physic, Soon after his death a plain monument was and the arts and sciences in general, but in moral erected to his memory by his widow, with an in- and political philosophy, in ancient and modern scription by Dr. Armstrong. In 1774, a column history, in the laws and institutions of Europe, and was erected on the banks of the Leven, near the in the constitution and government of his country. house in which he was born, by his cousin, James Man he surveyed with the most accurate obserSmollett, Esq. of Bonhill, with an inscription, in vation. He had a strong sense of impropriety, and the composition of which Dr. Johnson had a hand. a nice discernment both of natural and moral To add to the regret which every reader must beauty and deformity. His humor, lively and verfeel at the untoward fortune that attended Smol- satile, could paint justly or agreeably what he lett through life, his widow was left in indigent saw in absurd or ludicrous aspects. He possessed circumstances in a foreign country. To relieve a rapid and clear conception, with an animated, her from some temporary distress, the tragedy of Venice Preserved was performed at Edinburgh, in 1784, for her benefit; and the money, amounting, it is said, with private donations, to about 3007. remitted to Italy.

In 1773, Smollett's "Ode to Independence" was published from a MS. at Glasgow, by professor Richardson, with notes and observations. The poems of Smollett, though few, are allowed to be of the first order, which makes it to be regretted that he did not cultivate his poetical talents more extensively.

The person of Smollett was stout and well-pro

unaffected, and graceful style. With much simplicity, he has much purity, and is at the same time, both forcible and copious. His observations on life and manners are commonly just, strong, and comprehensive; and his reasoning generally sound and conclusive. His wit is prompt and natural, yet keen and manly. In chastity and delica cy, it is inferior to that of Addison, but equal in purity and moral tendency to that of his contemporary, Fielding;-it is poignant, sprightly, and founded on truth; it exposes successfully hypocrisy, impropriety, and such vices as are objects of ridicule.