In our next a Portrait of MR. BRAHAM, from an original Painting by Mr. C. Allingham. We are obliged to CASATOR (Chester) for his intimation. We are happy to find that Q. Z. (Hertford) has not quite forgotten us. The Ode supposed as from Simonides to Anacreon, and the Imitation of an Ode by Monsieur Menage, by J. F. W. (Glasgow) shall have a speedy insertion. The Fragment by EUPREBUS (Liverpool) possesses merit, but it resembles too many other compositions of a similar nature. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following articles, which shall have a place as soon as possible. Ode to Time, inscribed to Miss Seward; by Miss HOLFORD (Chester). Lines for Valentine's Day. Sannet to Cupid, by ELIZA. Another Elegy on Dermody the Poet. Continuation of a Tour in South Wales, by MORTIMER (Abergavenny), Inscription for a Pillar in Carthage, by the same. Lines, by T. GENT. The Essay attended to. on Solitude has been mislaid. It is now recovered, and shall be CIVIS appears in the present number. LORENZO puts a question which it is not in our power to resolve. The author of the article mentioned by Miss H****** did not proceed further with it. If Miss H. will bring it to a close we should consider ourselves under a particular obligation to her. ERRATA IN NUMBER 86. P. 384, read thus 8 H. 42′ 30′′ Eq. T. 8 H. 58′ 37′′ 8" Appt. T. P. 373, for "prob savete," read "proh sancte." ERRATUM IN THE LAST NUMBER. In the Sonnet, p. 47, for lucent read tremulous. MONTHLY MIRROR, FOR FEBRUARY, 1803. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN ADOLPHUS, ESQ. With a Portrait. MR. ADOLPHUS is a native of the metropolis, and received the rudiments of classical learning from an eminent and successful schoolmaster near town. At an early period of life he was destined to an official situation in the island of Saint Christopher, in the West Indies, where he resided a year; but finding the climate did not agree with his health, he returned to his native land. In pursuance of the will of a near relation, who died during his absence, and left a handsome legacy for that purpose, Mr. Adolphus, as soon as his health was re-established, articled himself to a very eminent solicitor in the temple, and, in the intervals of business, still pursued those studies which he had never intermitted, and for which he felt the warmest attachment. In 1790, he was admitted an attorney and solicitor; but as he could never adopt the mode of conduct which so many have found beneficial, he did not succeed in what is called making a business. He never was very extensively employed, though always well known and respected in the courts. In 1793, Mr. Adolphus formed a matrimonial alliance with a young lady named Leycester, whose parents resided at a beautiful seat, called White Place, in Berkshire. Her father's family is of the highest respectability in Cheshire, and her mother is of the house of Hanmer, so well known in the annals of politics and lite rature. Becoming more domestic in consequence of this connexion, Mr. Adolphus soon began to think of turning his literary acquirements to advantage, and for some time continued publishing anonymously, nor could the success of several of his early works, ever induce him to avow them, except to a few friends. In 1797, he became acquainted with the Rev. Wm. Coxe, the celebrated traveller and historian, a gentleman whose rare literary endowments are considered as his slightest recommendation, by those who have opportunities of appreciating the candour of his disposition, and the genuine goodness of his heart. Mr. Adolphus assisted him in preparing for the press the valuable memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, and was highly gratified by a polite acknowledgment in the preface of the benefits derived from his care and industry. Aided by Mr. Coxe's experience, and receiving continual advantages from his friendship, Mr. Adolphus ventured, in 1799, to publish, with his name prefixed, a work which he had long been preparing, under the title of "Biographical Memoirs of the French Revolution," This book was dedicated, by permission, to the Right Honourable William Windham, and its success and general estimation were highly beneficial to the reputation of the author. He was next em. ployed by Messrs. Cadell and Davies, the booksellers who had printed several of his works, in preparing a history of the reign of His present Majesty, and completed the narrative to the peace of 1783, in about three years, publishing it in the summer of 1802. We know of no other avowed production of Mr. Adolphus, except a slight work called the "British Cabinet," which contains a few heads published by an engraver, and for whom Mr. Adolphus wrote the biographical memoirs, without selecting the subjects, or seeking for any documents beyond those which the most ordinary resources could supply. Mr. Adolphus has now renounced the profession of an attorney, and entered his name as a law-student, intending to be called to the bar. In the mean time, his literary talents are not neglected; he is concerned in conducting a most respectable and long-established periodical work, and is expected soon to publish a concise history of France, from the revolution to the peace of Amiens. All his researches are, however, subservient to the grand object of his literary ambition, the publication of a history of his own country, from the revolution in 1688 to the present time, a project which he often mentions with great enthusiasm. THE INDIAN SAVAGE. IN one of our late wars, a company of Indian savages defeated an English detachment. The conquered could not escape so swiftly as the conquerors pursued. They were taken and treated with such barbarity, as is hardly to be equalled even in these savage coun tries. A young English officer being pursued by two savages, who approached him with uplifted hatchets, and seeing that death was inevitable, determined to sell his life dearly. At this instant, an old savage, armed with a bow, was preparing to pierce his heart with an arrow; but scarcely had he assumed that posture, when he sud`denly let fall his bow, and threw himself between the young officer and his barbarian combatants, who instantly retired with respect. The old Indian took the Englishman by the hand, dispelled all his fears, by his caresses, and conducted him to his cabin, where he 'always treated him with that tenderness which cannot be affected. He was less his master than his companion; taught him the Indian language, and made the rude acts of that country familiar to him. They lived contentedly together, and one thing only disturbed the young Englishman's tranquillity; the old man would sometimes fix his eyes on him, and, while he surveyed him attentively, tears fell in torrents from his eyes. On the return of spring, however, they recommenced hostilities, and every one appeared in arms. The old man had yet strength sufficient enough to support the toils of war, and set off with the 'rest, accompanied by his prisoner. The Indians having marched above two hundred leagues through forests, at last arrived on the borders of a plain, where they discovered the English camp. him, waiting to fight us. The old savage, observing the young man's countenance, shew, ed him the English camp. There are thy brethren,' said he to Be attentive. I have saved thy life. I have taught thee to make a canoe, a bow, and arrows; to surprise an enemy in the forest, to manage the hatchet, and to carry off a scalp. What wast thou, when I first conducted thee into my cabin? Thy hands were like those of a child; they served neither to support nor defend thee: thy soul was buried in the obscurity of night; you knew nothing; but from me you have learned every thing. Wilt thou be so ungrateful, with a view to reconcile yourself to your brethren, as to lift up the hatchet against us ?' The young Englishman protested, that he would rather a thou sand times lose his own life, than shed the blood of one of his Indian friends. The old savage covered his face with his hands, and bowed his head. After having been some time in that posture, he looked on the young Englishman, and said to him, in a tone mixed with ten◄ derness and grief: Hast thou a father?' He was living,' said the young man, when I quitted my country.'-Oh! how unfortunate is he!' cried the old man; and, after a moment's silence, he added, Knowest thou that I have been a father? I am no more such! I saw my son fall in battle; he fought by my side; my son fell covered with wounds, and died like a man! but 1 revenged his death, yes, I revenged it.' He pronounced these words in great agitation; his whole body trembled, and sighs and groans, which with difficulty found their way, almost suffocated him; his eyes lost their usual serenity, and is sighs could not find a passage from his heart. By degrees, he became more serene, and turning towards the east, where the sun was rising, he said to the young man: Seest thou that gilded heaven, which spreads abroad its resplendent light? Does it afford thee any pleasure to behold it?'-'Yes,' said the Englishınan,' the sight adds new vigour to my heart.'-Ah, thou happy man: but to me it affords no pleasure !' replied the savage, shedding a flood of tears. A moment afterwards, he shewed the young man a shrub in bloom; "Seest thou that beautiful flower?' said he, hast thou pleasure in beholding it?'- Yes, I have,' replied the young man. To me it no longer affords any,' answered the savage hastily, and then concluded with these words: Begone, hasten to thy own country, that thy father may have pleasure in beholding the rising sun, and the flowers of the spring.' THE CENTURY. THE Question of the Century is now well, and fully settled. It may not be amiss, however, to observe, that BAYLE, in his admirable DICTIONARY, has given an incidental judgment on it,. Art. Breauté, an article which contains an account of a combat more remarkable than any since the days of the HORATII and CURIATir. He says of the year 1600 agreeably to the sentiments I expresst when the question was still agitated; he says, the year 1600 was the last, and not the first of the century. L' An. 1600 fut le dernier & non le premier du siecle. p. 693. Ed. Rot. Fol. Anno 1702. C. L. |