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"A Defence of the Subscriptions required in the Church of England. A Sermon preached before the University of Cambridge on the Commencement-Sunday 1757. By William Samuel Powell, D. D. then Fellow, now Master of St. John's College. Cambridge. 1772. 8vo. Fourth edition. On 1 Cor. i. ver. 10."-Pages 23.

"A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Colchester in June 1772. By William Samuel Powell, D. D. F. R. S. Master of St. John's College in Cambridge and Archdeacon of Colchester. Cambridge. 1773," Svo, Pages 21.

"Discourses on various Subjects. By William Samuel Powell, D. D. Published by Thomas Balguy, D. D. London. 8vo. 1776."

He is enumerated as a Writer in the Confessional Controversy by the Writers of the Gentleman's Magazine for 1780; p. 226.

Mr. Mainwaring, in the Dissertation prefixed to the Sermons which he preached at St. Mary's and printed in 1780, in Svo, apologizes at p. xliv. for those of Dr. Powell, which had been censured for a seeming want of devotion in them: and at p. xciii. gives this exalted testimony of his merits. "It would be impossible to produce a more eminent instance of this happy alliance [of taste and genius with learning and good sense], than in the Sermons and Charges of the late Dr. Powell:-of whom indeed, on every account, the whole society, over which he presided, might justly join with me in saying,

"Semper honos, nomenque tuum laudesque manebunt." *

* Cole's MSS. vol. XLIX. pages 235 to 245.

No.

No. VIII.

ORIGIN OF THE "FREE AND CANDID DISQUISITIONS*, 1749;"

WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF

REV. JOHN JONES, DR. YOUNG, &c.

AMONG the Letters to Dr. Birch† in the British Museum, vol. XII. (Ayscough's Catalogue, No.4311.) are several from the Rev. John Jones, from 174r till 1765, with various papers concerning the "Free and Candid Disquisitions," and on literary subjects in general; which having never been published, a selection from them shall here be given.

In the earliest of them, dated from Abbots Ripton, in Huntingdonshire, June 24, 1741, Mr. Jones tenders Mr. Birch his assistance in the publication of the Thurloe State Papers.

Jan. 22, 1742. Offers to communicate to Mr. Birch any thing that may have occurred to his notice relating to eminent persons of this kingdom. Mentions his having a transcript of some valuable MSS. in Locke's hand-writing, which, under certain limitations, he is willing to send to Mr. Birch, &c. &c.— Thinks of waiting on Mr. Birch in town, if circumstances should admit of it.

Alconbury, Oct. 1, 1748. Mentions his having been in town with Mr. Birch, and makes a grateful acknowledgement of Mr. Birch's kindness.

Oct. 18. In Osborne's late Catalogue of books (the sale of which began in April, &c.) p. 14, there is a MS. mentioned (No. 120) which is intituled Gravamina Ecclesiastica, and was one of Dr. Basire's MSS.— If it is not gone, might we know the general heads of grievances therein mentioned?--If sold, could you learn who bought it?"

Nov, 12. Sends Mr. Birch a fat pullet: and" wishes he had any thing better to send but this depaupe

*See a character of this Work, and also of its compiler, Mr. Jones, in vol. III. p. 15.

† Mus. Brit. Bibl. Birch, 4311. Plut, III. H.
VOL. I.
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rated

rated vicarage [of Alconbury] too often checks the freedom and forwardness of my mind."

"I purpose to wait upon Dr. Middleton one day of next week, and mention what you say. The Preparatory Pieces*, I hope, will not stick much longer upon the hands of those that are engaged in drawing them up."

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"I wish you would be so kind as to consider with yourself by degrees, which may be the properest way of conveying the Introductory Pieces to the press-as whether by the hand of some Laygentleman, and who;-and whether they should not be published by a different Bookseller from him who shall undertake the Disquisitions: Dodsley for instance? I have been thinking of Mr. James West (of Lincoln's-inn); but, there being a good part of my hand-writing here and there among those Essays, and that gentleman being acquainted with it (or was formerly), it may not be adviseable to apply to him.-Mr. Plumptree (M. P.) I have no acquaintance with.-You, Sir, know many more such persons than I do, and being upon the spot, may contrive much better; which your favourable regard for so honest a cause will also incline you to do."

Nov. 25. Approves of Mr. Millar as the Bookseller for the intended work.-Judges that 1000 copies will be sufficient for the first impression.-"Twelve or thirteen books, handsomely bound, and gilt, must be reserved for presents, and the Authors to have them gratis."

"As to a judicious and intelligent Corrector of

* Among these was a pamphlet, intituled, "The Expediency and Necessity of revising and improving the Public Liturgy humbly represented," published by Mr. Ralph Griffiths, the intelligent Projector of the Monthly Review. - Another was, "A Blow at the Root, or, an Attempt to prove that the present is the most convenient Time for introducing a further Reformation in our National Churches and Universities," published by Bourne." Instructions to Archdeacon Chapman, Dr. Berriman, and Dr. Stebbing, how to draw up an Answer to Dr. Middleton's Free Enquiry, &c." in Gent. Mag. vol. XIX. p. 246; and a Letter signed Rusticlericus (probably Mr. Jones), ibid. p. 311.

the

the Press, I am sure, and will venture to say in the name of all my friends, that none of them will be willing that you should have the trouble.-What do you think of Mr. Jortin (whose name has been mentioned to me in a letter from another friend besides you) for an assistant? But surely a proper person may be found, without giving either of you the trouble. For my own part, I should be ashamed that you, Sir, should have any.

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The Preparatory Essays are going forward. I have received lately several pertinent observations from different hands, and yesterday one or more very valuable pieces from one of the best perhaps in the kingdom. One excellent hand is unhappily rendered useless, at least for a time; and that incomparable person (who cannot be unknown to you) laments he can do nothing in this way at present. He had before done his utmost, and I hope will be able to do more hereafter.

"I was to have met a most ingenious and sensible friend of the number this afternoon at another friend's house. I went: but a letter came last night, mentioning he had been ill for above a fortnight."

Nov. 26. "You see, Sir, the method our friend Dr. Middleton has taken. He tried men's pulses first by an introduction. He had their observations, and could guess by those at the utmost they could do. And now his larger work is in the press, and will be out soon, with his name to it. Perhaps also the names will be set to ours, after a proper trial for several think it best that some names should accompany it, though others are still of a different opinion; and the Preface must be altered, if names should be inserted." Nov. 28. " And yet the Queries which are to be amongst these Preparatory Papers, will plainly discover to the great men to whom they have been sent in MS. that the preludes come from the same hands, or society, which drew up the Disquisitions."

Jan. 1, 1748-9. Again concerning the Work; and

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Mr. Jones thus gives his own character: "You see, my dear Sir, I am not fit for writing letters; because I mention every thing in them as I would in private conversation with the most intimate friends; and hardly know where to stop, when I think I can disclose my mind with safety. You will kindly pardon my giving you so much trouble. My heart is sincere, and my time (I may reasonably suppose) but

short in this world; so I make the more haste to do every thing that I think to be my duty, and likely to be any way serviceable to the world. I wish I had far better parts. None have a heart more sincere, or more desirous to advance true Christianity upon a Scriptural (i. e. a truly rational) bottom. I write these, as I would my last words to my excellent friend. But (N. B.) I can be cautious enough in writing or speaking to others: and some have therefore thought me too reserved. But I have found it best to be so with some people, as you may very well

suppose.

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Jan. 23. "As to books to be sent to proper persons who may befriend the design, I wish you would be pleased to consider about such persons before you discourse Mr. Millar, and then the proper number of books for presents of that kind may be ascertained: which Mr. Millar should undertake to send to any parts of the town, according to directions hereafter to be given.-You, Sir, know who are the most proper persons; and it is submitted to your judgement to form a private list of them, and then agree. For my own part, I desire none; only, if it shall be thought proper, seven or eight may be delivered to you, when printed and bound, one of the best being for yourself.

"What think you of the following persons amongst others?-Lord Chancellor and his two Sons.-The Speaker of the House of Commons.-Lord Lonsdale [a very worthy Nobleman, and well-wisher to every good proposal of this kind: now in town.]-Judge Burnet. Mr. James West (of Lincoln's-inn.)-Mr.

Fellowes

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