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ADVERTISEMENT.

In publishing an uniform and complete edition of the Works of Dr. JORTIN, it is hoped that his descendants have performed a no less acceptable service to enlightened Scholars and Christians of a liberal mind than a grateful act to themselves. In addition to the Memoirs of their venerable Ancestor, written by his Friend Dr. HEATHCOTE, and the Supplementary Notices which their Father subjoined, they have only to observe, that these Volumes, which were printed from the Copies of the Author, with such Alterations and Additions as they were found to contain, have passed through the press under the inspection of Friends to whom his memory is dear.

The prefixed Portrait, now first engraven, is an exquisite resemblance of the original; and was taken from a picture of Dr. JORTIN, in his daughter's possession.

JOHN, ROGERS, AND SAMUEL JORTIN.

London, 1805.

AN

ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF

DR. JORTIN.

DR. JORTIN was born in London, the 23d of October 1698. His father Renatus, who was of Bretagne, in France, came over to England about 1685, when Protestantism was no longer tolerated in that country; was made a gentleman of the Privy Chamber in 1691; became afterwards secretary to Lord Orford, Sir George Rooke, and Sir Cloudesly Shovel; and was cast away with the last, the 22d of October 1706. His mother was Martha Rogers, of an antient and respectable family in Bucks, which had produced some clergymen distinguished by their abilities and learning. He was trained at the Charter-House school, where he made a good proficiency in Greek and Latin: his French he learned at home, and understood and spake that language well.

In May 1715 he was admitted of Jesus College in Cambridge; and, about two years after, recommended by his tutor, Dr. Styan Thirlby, who was

very fond of him, and always retained a friendship for him, to make extracts from Eustathius, for the use of Pope's Homer. He was not directly employed by Pope; nor did it ever happen to him to see the face of that poet; for, being of a shy, modest nature, he felt no impulse to force his way to him; nor did the other make inquiry about him, though perfectly satisfied with what he had done for him,

He took a Bachelor of Arts degree in January 1718-19, and a Master's in 1722: he had been chosen Fellow of his college soon after the taking of his first degree. This year he distinguished himself by the publication of a few Latin poems, entitled Lusus Poetici, which were well received, September 1723, he entered into Deacon's orders, and into Priest's the June following. January 1726-7, he was presented by his college to Swavesey, near Cambridge; but marrying a daughter of Mr. Chibnall, of Newport Pagnell, Bucks, in 1728, he resigned that living, and soon after settled himself in London.

In this town he spent the next two-and-thirty years of his life; for, though the Earl of Winchelsea gave him the living of Eastwell in Kent, where he resided a little time; yet he very soon quitted it, and returned to London. Here for many years he had employment as a preacher in several chapels ; with the emoluments of which, and a decent competency of his own, he supported himself and his family in a respectable though private manner, dividing his leisure hours between his books and his friends, especially those of the Literati, with whom he always kept up a close and intimate connection.

In 1730 he published Four Sermons on the

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