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and thus their public censures may not be reconcilable with the civilities that intervene, nor their public praise with past hostilities. Such a scheme of conduct may, in some cases, be too refined: but of its general outline a Reviewer, I think, should never lose sight. For my own part, I can truly say, that in this character I have always acted conscientiously. have not suffered myself to be influenced by personal or local considerations. My report of your book was impartial so, many years since, was that of Dr. Hawker's. With respect to your excellent performance, I was induced to review it from the recollection that Mr. Whitaker, who would probably take care of you in the British Critic, made it a point never to criticise the same book for two different Reviews. The Anti-Jacobin, therefore, remained for me; and I considered that the early notice of your publication might be doing you a service, to which its merits had an imperious claim.

"With the sincerest wishes for your welfare, both on this earth and in that world to which you open to us such an animating prospect, I remain,

"Your faithful

"To Mr. Samuel Drew, St. Austell."

"R. POLWHELE."

A few weeks after the publication of his Essay, and consequently before the appearance of any public criticism, Mr. Drew received from Mr. Richard Edwards, then a bookseller in Bristol, a proposal to purchase the copyright, and was requested to name his terms. TWENTY POUNDS, and thirty copies of the new edition, was the total of his demand, -a proof that he did not then estimate his literary labour at a very high rate. On these conditions the bargain was ratified..

Through the valuable suggestions of the late Rev. Thomas Roberts, Mr. Drew introduced many improvements into his second edition, and anticipated some objections to which the first was open. Other alterations he subsequently discovered to be necessary. Alluding to these changes, when writing to a gentleman, who several years afterwards lent his critical assistance in preparing another edition for the press, he thus observes.

"Though, prior to its publication, I submitted the MS of my Essay to my much lamented friend, the Rev. John Whitaker, he suggested no improvements, he made no remarks; he did not even hint the propriety of dividing the work into chapters and sections, as it now appears; so that the first edition had no other division than the two parts which separate Immateriality' from Immortality.' He, however, gave me his name in writing, with his avowed opinion of my MS, and authorised me to use it whenever I thought it would give me access to any subscriber. The service which he thus rendered me I hope I shall never forget.

"When this Essay was about to undergo a second edition, a friend from Bristol suggested to me the utility of dividing the work into chapters and sections. This, for some time, I hesitated to do, from a foolish notion that it would be an assumption that could not be detached from arrogance; and though it was at last done, the work was re-published before I had time to reflect on the import and bearing of its various passages. In short, I no more thought that it would ever have gained celebrity in the literary

world, than I now dream of being made a doctor of divinity. I applied, indeed, to several of my friends whom I thought capable of entering into the subject; but not one could or would impart the information I both solicited and wanted. Notwithstanding the numerous acquaintances to whom I was soon introduced, every one almost wanted me to solve difficulties, to answer questions; but none could I find who would attempt to meet my inquiries, or correct my views; and I began to conclude, that, in point of assistance I was 'out of humanity's reach, to finish my journey alone.""

The following letters shew the friendly intercourse between Mr. Drew and Mr. Britton, and the kind interest which the latter took in Mr. D.'s welfare.

"To Mr. Samuel Drew, St. Austell.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I have received your two long letters, and feel much obliged to you for the information they contain, and the trouble you have taken to oblige me. This day I have also received four of your books, and shall give them to some of my friends for reviewing, and doubt not, but most of them will treat you as you deserve- by giving a high character of the work. For myself, I can sincerely say, it has pleased, instructed, and surprised me. You have a mind that should be employed on something for the head instead of the heels. But many great men have been doomed to employ their hands for a livelihood, when their heads would have obtained them a fortune, if they had been placed in an advantageous situation:- may you soon acquire this advantageous station. I am sorry you sold the copyright of your book to a country bookseller; for I had been planning

a scheme calculated to be more advantageous and important to you; but it is now too late. Should you have any thing else in embyro, let me know, if you think me worthy your confidence. If I cannot do wonders for you, I will endeavour to promote your fame and profit in some degree.

"Your letters on the Cornish Tinners have given much gratification to some of my literary friends -and those high in fame's fair temple.' Pray continue them they will be serviceable and pleasant to me, and I think they will prove ultimately useful to you.

"But what I wish from you first, (and I hope you will comply with my wishes, as they originate in a desire to serve you,) is some anecdotes of your life— your studies, pursuits, and early modes of thinking,and a short history of your growing mind. I want to pay a tribute to genius, and illustrate some propositions by living facts. Two sons of Crispin have obtained great fame and some fortune by stretching their faculties; and it is nobly proved that academic instruction is not absolutely necessary to call forth the genius of a Gifford, a Bloomfield, and a Drew-three shoemakers. I presume you know one of them, and are not totally unacquainted with the other two.

"Have you seen Gifford's translation of Juvenal's Satires? Did you ever see The Mine,' a poem?Have you seen the Farmer's Boy,' by Bloomfield? "Let me hear from you soon, and believe me "Yours sincerely,

"London, February 22nd, 1803."

"J. BRITTON."

"St. Austell, March 12, 1803.

"DEAR SIR, "I wrote you some short time since, by post, a long letter, which, I hope, came safely to hand. In compliance with your request, I endeavoured, in that letter, to give you a few outlines of my life; I doubt not that it has excited your smiles, but I flatter my

self, if I know Mr. Britton, they are not the smiles of haughty contempt, but of sympathetic feeling.

"It happens, very opportunely, that this letter will approach you free of all expense; and I feel an unwillingness to let slip the opportunity, even though I embrace it to tell you I have nothing particular to say. Mr. Grant, who brings you this, is well acquainted with me, and, perhaps, can give you any little information respecting my situation and mode of life. It is to his brother (who is a surgeon) that I owe my commencement of authorship. It was to combat the principles which he had adopted, that I made remarks on the Age of Reason,' and afterwards published them to the world.

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"You ask me, Did you ever see Bloomfield's Farmer's boy? I have, and admire it much, for that artless simplicity which runs through the whole. felt its force, from a congeniality of soul, and from the knowledge which I have of rural life in the most servile stations. Mr. Gifford's publication I have never seen. I have repeatedly heard his name, but never heard that he had written any thing, unless it be the reply to Mr. Erskine. That I have never

read, nor do I know whether it be the same Mr. Gifford or not. I need not say to you, how remote the situation of Cornwall is from the seat of science and learning. We know little of the scenes which are exhibited on the great theatre of life. In this remote corner, and in the humble vale of obscure life, the rays of intelligence are few indeed.

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"I hope when the Reviewers give their opinion on my Essay, you will write me; without your information, it is probable I shall never know what they say. You see I have but barely room to call myself your friend, "SAMUEL DREW."

"I am now writing on a piece of leather, and have no time to copy or correct.

"To Mr. John Britton, London."