X tion of the Democratical Cantons of Switzerland; with a Preface and Supplement. Letters to a Young Lady on a Course of English Poetry. Geographical Delineations. Memoirs of the Life of Huet by himself, translated from the Latin, with copious Notes biographical and critical. Vocal Poetry. (A much-altered edition of Essays on Song-writing.) Essays Literary and Miscellaneous. The Lives of John Selden and of Archbishop Usher, with Biographical Notes. Annals of the Reign of George III. Select Works of the British Poets, with biographical and critical Prefaces. Stoke Newington, June, 1823. MEMOIR OF JOHN AIKIN, JOHN AIKIN, only son of the Rev. John Aikin, D.D., by Jane his wife, daughter of the Rev. John Jennings, teacher of a dissenting academy at Kibworth, was born at the same village of Kibworth-Harcourt in Leicestershire on January 15, 1747. His father, whom he never mentioned but with reverence, was the son of a native of Scotland settled as a shopkeeper in London; originally destined for a commercial life, he had occupied for a short time the situation of French clerk in a merchant's counting-house, when, the air of London disagreeing with his health, he was placed for a time as a pupil with Dr. Doddridge, who succeeded Mr. Jennings in his academy and afterwards removed it to Northampton. In this situa tion the bent of his mind towards learning so strongly manifested itself, that he obtained his father's permission to change his views and devote himself to the Christian ministry. After finishing his course with Dr. Doddridge, he completed with distinction an extensive plan of study at the University of Aberdeen, and became Dr. Doddridge's assistant on his return. A respectable congregation at Leicester soon afterwards elected him their pastor; but just as he was entering upon the duties of his office, a disease of the lungs permanently incapacitated him as a preacher, and rendered him a valetudinarian for life. Under these unfortunate circumstances, no other line of life remained open to him than that of an instructor of youth; and after a short period of partnership with a gentleman of the name of Lee, he married, and opened a school of his own at Kibworth, which his diligence, his learning and abilities, and, above all, the excellence of his moral character, soon raised into repute. His two children, Mrs. Barbauld and the subject of this Memoir, were born to him while occupying this station of modest usefulness; and, next to the happiness of being the child of such a parent, his son always esteemed it his highest privilege to have been the pupil of such a teacher. He would also mention that his father was careful to guard him against the |