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in June 1776, and A. M. in July 1779. He was ordained to the office of Deacon by the Right Reverend Dr. William White, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Penn'sylvania, in St. Peter's Church, 29th of December, 1793; and received priest's orders on the 28th of December 1794. On the 9th of June, 1794, he was inducted an assistant minister of Christ Church and St. Peter's, and still continues in that office. Besides his parochial cure in the city, he officiated from 1806 to 1809 in the Parish Churches of Trinity, Oxford, and All Saints, Pennepack. In May 1809, St. James' Church being built and incorporated with Christ Church and St. Peter's, the consequent increase of his duties, compelled him to relinquish his charge of the country Churches. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by the President and Trustees of Princeton College, in the state of New-Jersey, in October 1804.

Dr. Abercrombie has not confined himself to the performance of his pastoral and parochial duties: but, stimulated by a laudable desire of extending his usefulness, and by a love of literature, (and induced possibly by the inadequacy of a slender salary to meet the exigencies of a numerous family) he has engaged in the instruction of youth; an employment honourable in itself, and not altogether uncongenial to the clerical character, although perhaps to a mind less indefatigable than Dr. A's, too laborious to be superadded to its high and responsible duties. In the spring of 1-800, in conjunction with the Reverend Dr. Samuel Magaw, then rector of St. Paul's Church, he founded the "Philadelphia Academy," consisting of a Latin and Greek, an English, and a Mathematical department. After an experience of three years, however, this Institution was found to be too expensive to be supported by tuition-money alone-Dr. Magaw therefore retired, and the Institution, being changed into an "English Academy," Dr. Abercrombie became sole Director on the 15th of February, 1803.

"The Philadelphia Academy" continues in a flourishing condition, and receives general and the most liberal patronage. Although perhaps not necessarily connected with the main purpose of this sketch, it may subserve the important interests of education and of literature (and the interests of education and of literature can never for a moment be forgetten in this Journal) to

state, that in this Academy, an accomplished English education may be obtained, either preparatory to the study of the learned languages and other collegiate studies, with a view to either of the learned, professions, or to an immediate engagement in the active pursuits of business. Since 1804 an annual examination and commencement of the senior class (having finished the course of education pursued here) has been held in the month of July. On these occasions, after a strict examination in the several branches of reading, writing, arithmetic, composition, elocution, natural history, geography, logic, the elements of the mathematics, book-keeping, merchants' accounts, &c. those who are found worthy to receive the honours of the institution, deliver exercises in reading and recitation, and receive certificates of their proficiency. These public examinations and exhibitions are found to operate forcibly, not only as excitements but as rewards to studiousness and industry. They are concluded by a charge from the Director to the class; in which the social, moral, and religious duties are explained and enforced, and suitable caution and advice are given as to their future conduct through life.

Dr. Abercrombie has published, since his ordination, the following works:

1. A Sermon on the general fast, 8vo.

1798.

2. The Catechism of the Protestant Episcopal Church, with an Appendix, occasional prayers, &c. 12mo.

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1803.

3. Two Com ends, 1st of Elocution, 2d of Natural History, 12mo.
4. A Funeral Sermon on the death of General Hamilton, 8vo.
5. Lectures on the Catechism, on Confirmation, and the Liturgy of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, with an Address to parents,
sponsors, and guardians. 8vo.

1803. 1804

1807.

12mo.

6. An improved edition of Murray's abridged Grammar, with‍ notes. 16mo.

7. Second edition of do. with additions, 16mo.

8. An improved edition of Murray's large Grammar with notes,}

9. Sermon the the Protestant
preached before the state Convention of said Church, 8vo.

1807.

1808.

1808.

1808.

(1804.

1805.

1806.

10. Charges delivered to the senior class of the Philadelphia Aca demy, at the commencements in the years, (8vo)

1807.

1808.

1809.

1810.

1809.

1810.

11. A Valedictory Oration delivered at the commencement, (8vo.) 12. A Valedictory Oration delivered at the commencement, (8vo.) 13. A course of Lectures on Reading and Public Speaking (now) 1809. publishing in the Port Folio,)

(now}

S 1810. Dr. A's 12th and concluding Lecture on Reading and Public Speaking will appear in our next number.

CRITICISM-FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

"The Lady of the Lake, a Poem by Walter Scott, Esq. p. p. 306.—Philadelphia, published by Edward Earle, 1810."

It gives us peculiar pleasure to turn from the tame and insipid poetry so characteristic of the present day, to that masculine energy that breathes from the page of Walter Scott.Wearied out in our journey, bewildered and bemired in the low marshes at the foot of Parnassus, we hail with new delight, the returning rays of Caledonia's star. Its beams are strong and exhilarating, and sparkle upon us direct from the horizon of the Muses. We feel once more the magic of the ancient bards, our minds transported and all our passions shaken by the delightful incantations of the muse. Cold and phlegmatic criticism at such an hour may apply the scale and compasses to our feelings; may pretend to dictate when we shall be delighted, to discipline the course of our smiles and our tears; but "the fit is on us, and we shake" without such instruction. The present delightful Poem which it now becomes our duty to examine, is divided into six canThe first opens with a beautiful description of a stagchase, where a knight called James Fitz James, in pursuit of the deer, loses his steed, and is by that accident introduced to the acquaintance of Ellen, or the Lady of the Lake. He partakes of the hospitality which the mansion affords him, and reposes there for the night. The second Canto, after noticing the departure of the stranger, proceeds to inform us of the character and lineage of the Lady of the Lake. She appears to be the only daugh

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ter of Douglas, a noble lord, who has incurred the displeasure of his sovereign, and is compelled to live in a state of seclusion from court. It incidentally appears that she is beloved by Roderic, whose character is admirably drawn. He is rash, fiery, eruel and impetuous. "Impiger, iracundus,'inexorabilis, acer." With all these qualities, he is generous towards his friends, quixotic in the proffer of his services to promote their welfare, punctiliously nice in the performance of a promise; in short, he brings to our mind the character of Robin Hood, a compound of a robber and a hero. Her heart is betrothed to Malcolm Græme, a young knight whose character is yet "in the gristle," but who gives promise of mature excellence hereafter. Both of these lovers appear, and in the altercations which we are prepared to anticipate, the conduct of Malcolm confirms our prepossessions in his favour. Roderic, who is an outlaw, receives intelligence of the approach of the royal army; and prepares for resistance. In the third canto we are presented with a curious, interesting and detailed account of the manner in which the chieftains of the Scottish clans gave to their followers the summons of preparation for battle. Roderic is made the vehicle of this intelligence. This was done by what was denominated the fiery cross. A goat was slain, and a cross was made by two light pieces of wood lighted at the extremities and extinguished in the blood of the animal. A messenger ran with this symbol with all possible expedition among the respective clans, and named the place where they were commanded to assemble. He who disobeyed suffered the punishment of death, of which the bloody cross was an emblem. Whatever was their employment the signal was prompt and peremptory, and admitted not of a moment's procrastination. This principle forms the basis of several interesting incidents: the lover is separated from his mistress, husband from wife, parent from child, &c. at the sign of the fiery cross. The fourth canto opens with a prophecy, in which it is foretold that in the ensuing contest, which ever party first sheds the blood of the other, shall be befriended by victory. This seems intended to preserve the legendary superstitions of Caledonia, and is not woven with the thread of the poem with so much artifice as to preserve the integrity of the piece. In the

subsequent part we are apprised of the departure of Douglas for some as yet inscrutable cause. Fitz James once more revisits the Lady of the Lake, he is informed of the attendant dangers, surrounded as he is by Roderic's followers, and attempts his escape under the convoy of a treacherous guide. The plot is detected and unravelled before its accomplishment, for which the guide pays the forfeiture of his life. The sequel exhibits a fine portraiture of the sanctity of hostile faith amidst those rude and ferocious sons of Caledonia. Fitz James lost and bewildered in his way, applies to one of his enemies for succour and protection; he obtains his promise of security until he is escorted from the reach of the enemy, and sleeps under the cover of the same plaid until the dawn of day. The fifth canto commences with the journey of our two travellers. and the stranger, punctual to his promise, escorts Fitz James in safety beyond the lines of Roderic. Fitz James had previously declared himself an enemy to Roderic, and a determination to try his prowess in single combat. The stranger guide having complied with his promise, in escorting Fitz James beyond the reach of danger, fights him and is taken prisoner in the combat. The remainder of the canto is occupied by the attempts of the earl of Douglas, the father of Ellen, to recover the favour of his sovereign. He mingles in the royal sports and receives the prizes due to the victor, but is unsuccessful in all his attempts to find grace, and at the conclusion, is thrown into a dungeon. We learn from the last canto, of the attempt of Ellen in company with Allan-bane, an old bard, to obtain from the Scottish monarch the liberation of her father: the bard visits the prison, where he finds Roderic faint with his wounds, who demands of him a particular relation of the battle fought by his followers in his absence, but dies before the narration is concluded. Ellen is conducted by Fitz James into the royal court to obtain by entreaty the restoration of her father to the honours he had lost. She presents to her monarch his signet ring, by which his royal word was pledged to grant the request of the person presenting the same. The reader has, we presume, already anticipated that Douglas is restored to his honours, and that Ellen is given in marriage to Malcolm Græme. We wish not to be prudishly nice in the examination of a plot, but without this quality

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