SAMUEL PATERSON, and sold by Messrs.

Langfords.

The title page is succeeded by the

PREFACE.

"THE following catalogue exhibits a very curious and uncommon collection of printed books and tracts of British History and Antiquities, and of rare old English Literature, the most copious of any which has appeared for several years past; formed with great taste, and a thorough knowledge of authors and characters, by that judicious critic and able antiquary, the late JAMES WEST, Esq. President of the Royal Society.'

"SEVERAL anonymous writers are herein brought to light-many works enlarged and further explained by their respective authors and editors-and a far greater number illustrated with the MS. notes and observations of some of our most respectable antiquaries; among whom will be found the revered names of Camden, Selden, Spelman, Somner, Dugdale, Gibson, Tanner, Nicolson,

Gale, Le Neve, Hearne, Anstis, Lewis, St. Amand, Ames, Browne, Willis, Stukely, Mr. West, &c. But, above all, the intense application and unwearied diligence of the admirable BISHOP WHITE KENNETT, upon the ecclesiastical, monastical, constitutional, and topographical history of Great Britain, so apparent throughout this collection, furnish matand are ter even to astonishment; alone sufficient to establish the reputation, and to perpetuate the memory, of that illustrious prelate, without other monuments of his greatness.'

any

'IN an age of general inquiry, like the present, when studies less interesting give place to the most laudable curiosity and thirst after investigating every particular, relative to the history and literature of our own country; nothing less than an elaborate digest of this valuable library could be expected; and, as a supplement to the history of English literature, more desired.'

That task the Editor has cheerfully undertaken: and, he flatters himself, executed as well as the short time allowed would permit. He further hopes, to the satisfaction of such who are capable of judging of its utility and importance.'

THE lovers of engraved English portraits (a species of modern connoisseurship which appears to have been first started by the late noble EARL of OxFORD, afterwards taken up by Mr. West, Mr. Nicolls, editor of Cromwell's State.. Papers, Mr. Ames, &c. and since perfected by the Muse of Strawberry-Hill, the Rev. Wm. Granger, and some few more ingenious collectors) may here look to find a considerable number of singular and scarce heads, and will not be disappointed in their search.'

S. P.

(An account of the books will appear in

the next number.)

Royal Institution.

FOR the subject of his fifteenth lecturé Mr. CROWE took those dramas which have been composed to ridicule theatrical productions. He shewed how this was done by the contemporaries of Shakspeare. He gave an account of the Poetaster of B. Jonson, and the Satyromastix of Dekker, which was a reply to the former. He remarked upon their grossness and personalities. The Rehearsal was the next subject of the lecturer's notice; when he observed, that its noble author had neglected the fair opportunity which presented itself of censuring the immorality and profaneness of the stage at that period.

THE pieces of a similar kind, which succeeded the Rehearsal, were then examined, and their respective merits were stated and upon a general review of those satirical dramas, the lecturer concluded, that they appeared to have some

times improved our theatre in matters of taste, but to have had no higher object. He observed, that this species of satire, like comedy, grew more refined, as it proceeded; and that the latter pieces of this description ridiculed the faults of dramatic writers, without outraging their feelings, by any asperity of language, or breach of good manners.

British Gallery.

No. 179. Thatching a Mill.

James Ward.

THIS is a very spirited little picture, touched in a forcible and scientific manner: but too much is attempted within so small a compass. The splendid sunset might have been judiciously omitted. The purple and yellow preponderate too much.

No. 186. The Plasterer.

J. Cranch

THIS beautiful cabinet picture would