"Matri longa decem tulerunt fastidia menses" —

intended (in his opinion) to denote an extraordinary circumstance attending the birth of Pollio's child-to signify that his mother had borne him longer than the natural period of gestation; as if the usual term of nine months would not have been sufficient for the production of such a child—a child of such mighty consequence and interest-to the poet and his patron, I mean, though not to the rest of the world!

This fanciful interpretation appears to have originated with Dryden himself, as I do not find the slightest hint of such meaning in Servius, Probus, or any of the succeeding commentators, though well enough disposed to strain the text of their author, for the purpose of extorting a 66 more exquisite," far-fetched, and often unnatural, meaning. But here they could not venture to display their acumen; well knowing that nine calendar months are about equal to ten lunar: independent of which circumstance, the Roman mode of computing time left no room to conjecture any extraordinary meaning in Virgil's words. While the common usage allowed nine days (for example), or even eight and a half, to be accounted as ten, that was sufficient authority, not only for a poet, but even for a prose writer, to reckon nine months as ten, without meaning any thing out of the regular course.

To the classical reader this requires no explanation, though, to some others, it may. I will therefore briefly observe, that the Romans reckoned their days in the same manner as our French neighbours, who account, as GENT. MAG. January, 1819.

one day, any part of a broken day at the commencement of the period in computation, and account, as another day, any portion of a day at the termi nation of the same period: so that, if a Frenchman go out of town on Saturday evening, and return on the Saturday morning following, he will reckon the term of his absence eight days ("huit jours"), though an Engsix days and a half, or, at most, a bare lishman would account it only about scanty week: and, in like manner, a Frenchman's quinze jours (fifteen days) is only an Englishman's fortnight.

But, to return to Dryden and Virgil-The following quotations will, I presume, be deemed sufficient to show that the Roman bard meant nothing particular or extraordinary by the expression, "ten months," which, in that under consideration, appears to common parlance, in such cases as have conveyed no other idea to a Roman, than that of "nine months” conveys to an English reader.

"Bis quino femina mense parit.” Ovid, Fast. 3, 124. "Jamque decem menses; et puer ortus Ovid, Fast. 5, 534. "Luna novum decies implêrat cornibus orbem ;

erat."

Quæ fuerat virgo credita, mater erat." Ovid, Fast. 2, 175. "Jam novies erat orta soror pulcherrima Phobi, Denaque luciferos Luna movebat equos, Ovid, Epist. 11, 45. "Non, non humani sunt partûs talia dona :

&c."

Ista decem menses non peperêre bona." Propertius, 2, 3, 27. Yours, &c. JOHN CAREY.

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 12.

N speaking in my last letter of the

re-issue of the Notes and Counters from the Bank (after their being lion on any more than usual demand presented for payment in Gold Bulfor that metal) in the purchase of Silver Bullion, I thought it right to suggest the limiting of such re-issue to a Part only of the portion of the curing necessarily, in a prevalence of rency so returned; because, Gold bethe proposed system, the standard of the value of all other goods, it follows from a rise in the value of Gold, that a circulating medium, representative in the aggregate of a less quantity of

Gold,

Gold, will on such rise bear a given proportion to the whole wealth of the realm. It might, and, I think, would be therefore proper in such case gradually to reduce the aggregale representative value of the Government Notes, &c. till the precious metals through the course of exchange returned nearer to their usual balance which, were the loss of that balance local, and chiefly confined to this country, they would quickly do.

Hoping the practicability and efficacy of the proposed changes in the cir culating medium have been made sufficiently apparent, I shall endeavour to prove that they are equally safe. The currency of notes of 51. and above being all along supposed to continue, the greater proportion, in representative amount, of the circulating medium would still consist of such notes, whether the Nation chose to retain the use of the Bank of England, or to take the responsibility, &c. immediately on itself. Should it prefer the latter, a treasure of gold and silver

bullion would accumulate in exact

proportion as the establishment issued new bills, the obligation being contracted, and a fund provided for its discharge simultaneously. By this arrangement, the Legislature becoming pledged to the holders, the notes will consequently be secured on the Revenue, and of the treasure thus raised, (a sufficiency for payment of all probable demands being reserved,) a considerable part might, under due regulation, be immediately disposable for the accommodation of Commerce, and the discount on such accommodations, or in other words, the profits of the Bank and increase of its capital beyond the amount of its responsibility, might, subject to Parliamentary controul, be from the same moment available for the exigencies of the State. The Nation's taking on itself the maintenance of the establishment in the expences for buildings, salaries, &c. would greatly simplify the Bank accounts; but on examination it would be found that, as, from the principle of the proposed system, nothing could be lost in the purchase of gold, and the Bank could have no inducement for the purchase of silver bullion, excepting when below its average price, nor for its sale but when above-this part of the arrangement, though desirable, would be nowise requisite.

Many of the advantages that this plan offers to the Nation might doubtless be attained through a private company acting on its own account. But in the alternative of the State's establishing such a Bank for its own advantage, it must be very apparent that the system could not be brought into full operation till the expiration, or resignation for a valuable consideration, of the Bank of England's charter; but meanwhile that establishment might be made use of as a means for its gradual introduction; and at the termination of their charter, the present Bank Corporation would doubtless gladly dispose of their buildings and remaining bullion to the State; and the rather, to entitle them to recommend their subordinate officers to its employ; whom it would be extremely difficult otherwise to provide for. Meanwhile the country might be supplied with a currency of 20s. and Is. counters through the Bank of England, which might receive them to any amount from the Mint in exchange for the weight in gold bullion represented by them, the State becoming thereby (without risk of practical consequences) answerable for the ultimate re-payment in bullion, should the Bank of England, after putting them in circulation, require such repayment, in consequence of this metallic currency being returned on their hands.

On the near approach of the close of the Charter, Notes of the State Bank might be prepared and placed at the disposal of the Bank of England, on the same terms as the metallic tokens were previously supposed to have been, for enabling them to recal their own in a manner at once least inconvenient to the publick, and most conducive to the immediate object of the State: till on its final close, Commissioners, having first examined their accounts, might be authorized to transfer the responsibility for any Bank of England Notes still in circulation to the new establishment, on receiving treasure for the value thereby represented; and a proclamation might be issued for their recal and exchange within a limited time. All this seems easy to be done in the event of Government's coming to an understanding about it with the Bank of England Corporation, and purchasing its treasure and buildings, and taking its officers into employ; and it is hardly to

be expected that, supposing their charter nearly expired, any obstacle should be raised on their part, as they could nowise dispose of their property so advantageously elsewhere.

I need not say much to prove that the other alternative must be yet more easy; namely, if the Legislature, satisfied with providing a currency, secure, on the one hand, from all danger of depreciation, and, on the other, of being melted down or carried out of the country, and to a very great degree less liable than at present to imitation, declining to seek further advantages in the change of system, should wish rather to renew the charter of the Bank of England, and to effect it wholly through the agency of that establishment. This latter method would, in addition to its greater facility, have the farther recommendation to a Nation jealous of increase of patronage in the Executive, that none would thereby be created; whilst the Bank of England, already accustomed to give considerable pecuniary aids to the State, might, from an apprehension of a refusal to renew its charter, be induced to covenant for future accommodations on a larger scale, and on more favourable conditions.

In the event of such terms being assented to: the effecting the change of the currency, and the subsequent maintaining of the proposed new system through the agency of that Corporation (whose experience in business would qualify them, and interest excite them to the most satisfactory execution of that more limited plan) ought certainly not to be declined without deliberation. But it should not be forgotten, on the one hand, that the Legislature having an undoubted right to refuse the renewal of the Bank of England's Charter, and to transfer the privileges of it to an establishment of its own, the concession of a new Charter, &c. should be made only on condition of an adequate compensation; nor, on the other, that in the preference of this allernalive the creditor loses the greater of the two securities that the former alternative would have given him, namely, that of the public revenue. On the whole of the alternatives suggested for operating the change of system recommended, the writer cannot but prefer the machinery of a

national establishment to that of a private one; and from every consideration that he has been able to give the question, he conceives that he has in the former proposed an expedient at once simple, effectual, and safe; and calculated not only to protect but to advance the prosperity of the country, both in morality and wealth. Yours, &c. 2. X.

Mr. URBAN,

N

Nov. 20, 1818. Mr. Nichols's very valuable and entertaining work, "Literary Anecdotes," &c. vol. II. p. 673 679, an interesting correspondence between Mr. Prichard of Ledbury and Dr. Lort is inserted, relating to a question materially affecting the charac ter of Dr. Bentley, viz. whether in the quotations produced from Victor's "Chronicon," by A. Collins, in his "Discourse on Free-thinking," the phrase idiotis Evangelistis was translated by him idiot Evangelists, or by Dr. Bentley, and attributed falsely by him to Collins, in order to bring his opponent into contempt. Dr. Lort has fully vindicated Dr. Bentley, and shewn that there were at least two editions of the Discourse published in the same year; and that the second varied from the first in several ionportant instances, especially in not continuing the translation of ab idiotis Evangelistis, and in omitting the following paragraph: "If a man be under any obligation to listen to any Revelation at all." Having lately had occasion to look at some of the answers that were published upon the first appearance of the "Discourse," I was happy to find further evidence of the correctness and fairness of Dr. Bentley, and in support of Dr. Lort's assertions. As connected with a subject which Mr. Nichols has happily thought not unworthy of notice in his excellent work, the production of this evidence may not, perhaps, be unacceptable to your Readers.

In Dr. Hoadly's "Queries recommended to the Authors of the late Discourse of Free-thinking, by a Christian," page 8, the following occurs: "Whether these Authors be not scholars enough to know that idiotis Evangelistis could not then signify idiot Evangelists, in the sense in which we now use that word for natural fools; but only men without polite learning? If they be not, whe

ther

ther they should pretend to translate, and make quotations? If they be, whether any thing can excuse such barbarous usage?"

Mr. Whiston published a tract entitled "Reflexions on an Anonymous Pamphlet, entitled, A Discourse of Free-thinking," &c. Referring to the quotation from Victor, he observes, p. 38, "I pass over that idle tale and Iniserable translation about the correction of the Holy Gospels under Anastasius, as written by idiot Evangelists." And again, p. 39, "But this translation of ab idiotis Evangelistis, by idiot, instead of plain and unartful Evangelists, deserves rather the rod of a schoolmaster than the reflection of a scholar upon it. If a Clergyman had been guilty of so great weakness or prevarication, call it which you please, as this translation, which yet is not the only one of this nature in this pamphlet, he would hardly have escaped the lash of this writer or of his brethren, upon a proper occasion."

·

In another place, p. 22, he has the following: "To pass also by his erratum or dele, p. 40, If a man be under an obligation to listen to any Revelation at all,' which some suspect was inserted" (in the list of errata)" to make the passage more remarkable."

Dr. Dan. Williams, in “A Letter to the Author of a Discourse, &c." refers to the same passage, p. 28, "I am glad to find among the errata, the following clause, viz. If a man be under an obligation to listen to any Revelation at all."

These passages, found in three of the earliest answerers, are surely suf ficient to prove that the first edition of the "Discourse," now not commonly to be found, did contain the translation of the phrase ab idiotis evangelistis, which Mr. Prichard and others have regarded as a pious fraud by the learned Critick.

J. B. N. asks (Lit. Anecd. ii. p. 675) "Is it not most probable that Mr. Collins had the single leaf only cancelled in which the offensive words occurred?" I have examined carefully the second edition, and find no appearance of leaves to supply such as had been cancelled; and it is plain from what has been now stated, that more than one must, in that case, have been cancelled. Yours, &c.

EUONYMUS.

Mr. URBAN,

SIR

Dec. 31.

IR John Cox Hippisley, Bart. on seconding the Address of Condolence to the Prince Regent, at the late Somerset County Meeting, at Wells, expatiated at some length upon the exemplary virtues of her late Majesty, and particularly in reference to her extended charities. He was more strongly impelled to this act of justice, because he scrupled not to admit, that at one period of his life, when he had fewer advantages of authentic information, he had himself in some degree partaken of an erroneous opinion, which had been but too prevalent, respecting that estimable part of her Majesty's character, which at the present hour was universally recognized. But (as he observed) the growth and progress of error were inseparable from the imperfection of our nature, although its influence was not always reproachful to the understanding or the heart. However, he would beg permission to advert to a very recent and pointed testimony, derived from the best authority: The charities of the Queen (Sir John H. reading a letter, which was understood to have been communicated to him by General Taylor, treasurer to her late Majesty) have been most extensive, although wholly free from ostentation. I do not believe that, during the whole course of her residence in this country, the close of the year has produced a pecuniary balance in her Majesty's favour; and there is actually a debt which must be provided for out of the sale of personals. Indeed, I am convinced, that the loss of her Majesty, as a kind benefactress, and a supporter of objects deserving of her bounty, will unfortunately be best appreciated by the distress of numbers who looked up to her for every resource. There is in Bedfordshire one charity, to which alone her Majesty has paid annually 5007. for more than 50 years." Such is the grateful testimony drawn from the most authentic source. To a single charitable institution, a sum exceeding 25,000l. has been devoted by her Majesty's beneficence. The Royal jewels, the appropriate decoration and appendage of the Queen's exalted station, constitute the only fund from which the debt of about 90007. incurred by her extended charities is to be liquidated.

VERUS.

1. Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century, consisting of Authentic Memoirs and Original Letters of Eminent Persons; and intended as a Sequel to the "Literary Anecdotes." By John Nichols, F.S.A. Vol. III. pp. 848. Ten portraits, 1818. IN our review of the two preceding volumes of these "Illustrations" (vol. LXXXVII. p. 233, &c.) we expressed our confidence that our Editor's stores of literary history were not exhausted, and our hope that they might again furnish those materials on which, from their peculiar features of authenticity, future biographers and inquirers might rely, and find more minuteness of proof than is usually attainable in attempting to recover lost memorials. But, whatever our confidence or our hopes, we certainly did not look for so speedy a justification and fulfilment as we derive from this THIRD Volume of the "Illustrations," which indeed appears to us rather more interesting than its predecessors, because it is almost entirely composed of unpublished letters and documents, and contains a more than ordinary proportion of the contributions of some living and some recently departed men of talents, who were eminently conversant in literary history.

The Editor, in his“ Advertisement," calls this volume" one more;" but as he kindly hints, in a subsequent passage, that he takes leave of the publick only "for the present," and holds out the prospect of still farther assistance from his learned friends, we shall not quit the expectations which he has so often gratified; nor, uncertain as life is, are we disposed to anticipate those regrets which will come too soon, when they are better founded. That the Editor of the Gentleman's Magazine should feel his mind cheared on a review of his past labours, will appear very probable to any person who, like the Writer of this article, has been a reader of that publication for nearly forty years. It is therefore with peculiar pleasure that we transcribe, from the "Advertisement" to the present volume of "Illustra tions," an assertion which it would be well if all who have engaged in

the warfare of Literature were able to make with equal truth:

"After having ventured to appear in print nearly sixty years, I am fully aware of the perils attendant on him who endeavours to please every one. But I can conscientiously say, on the recollection of the numerous works in which I have been engaged, whatever may have been their merits or defects, there is not a single line which I should scruple to own, or that I now remember with regret."

We have said that the contributions of several learned friends have rendered this volume peculiarly rich in original matter. Of these, which we shall notice in their order, a very considerable portion is from the pen, or from the collections and letters of the late Mr. Justice Hardinge, partly communicated by himself, and partly by his relatives, who knew the interest he took in these "Illustrations."

That Mr. Hardinge's correspondence and remarks should be distinguished for literary information, wit, justness of criticism, and felicity of expression, will not surprize any one who knew him. In truth, had the design entered into his mind, we know few men who could have executed a work of this nature with more success; and we think Mr. Nichols very fortunate in having obtained a coadjutor, who enters so closely into his plan, and assists him with so much intelligence and acuteness, and with such cordial feeling.

The volume very properly commences with an account of the Hardinge family, and a life of Mr. Justice Hardinge, illustrated with notes by the Editor, and with a few by Mr. Hardinge. In a very early period of this pleasing piece of Biography, we meet with a note of Mr. Hardinge's, which we need not recommend to the Reader. When we recollect what changes Death and disease have effected since this interesting interview, we may confidently ask, who can peruse this little narrative without sympathy?

"In the month of March, 1719, he had the heartfelt satisfaction, in common with every loyal and dutiful subject, to witness the restoration of our

justly