gence and vigour. The chief objects of his attention were his pastoral duty, and the study of the Scriptures. In the course of this study, he drew up paraphrases on the book of Job and the books of Solomon, and wrote some other pieces of a religious kind; all which, however, he seems to have composed rather for his private improvement, than with a view to publication. The correction and enlargement of his Antiquities of Cornwall for a second edition engaged some part of his time; and when this business was completed, he applied his attention to a minute revision of his Natural History, and to intersperse the additional discoveries which had occurred to him. As this work is become scarce, a new edition of it, with the author's improvements, would probably be very acceptable to the publick. After he had revised his Natural History, he also prepared for the press (as he mentions himself) a Treatise concerning the Creation and Deluge. This curious work was actually put into my hands; and two pages of it printed in octavo as a specimen; when a violent illness, in January 1771, induced him to drop his design. From the time of his illness, he began sensibly to decline; the infirmities of old age came fast upon him; and it was visible to all his friends that his dissolution was approaching. This expected event happened on the 31st of August, 1772, in the 77th year of his age. He was lamented in the several relations of a kind father, an affectionate brother, a sincere friend, an instructive pastor, a man of erudition, and a good citizen. He was buried within the communion rails in Ludgvan church, by the side of Mrs. Borlase, who had been dead about three years, and over whose grave he had caused to be engraved the following elegant testimony of the mutual harmony and affection in which they had lived: "ANNÆ suæ per annos propemodum quadraginta et quinque uxori peramatæ, amanti, amabili, extremum hoc qualecunque Gulielmus Borlase. Decessit in Christo multum desiderata The epitaph placed over Dr. Borlase by his executor is as follows: "Hic etiam sunt repositæ GUL. BORLASE, LL. D. R. S. S. Ob. xxxi Aug. A. D. MDCCLXXII." The Doctor had by his lady six sons*, two of whom alone survived him, the Rev. John Borlase * For one of his sons, who died young in the Naval service, there is the following inscription on a small plate in Ludgvan church, written by an afflicted Father: By the smallness of this table, CHR. BORLASE, a youth of sweet and amiable disposition, and making quick advances to deserve died, neither by the fury of war, (in which he was engaged about four years) Like a fair flower that had survived he was taken by God to himself, (who in 1782 was living in Cornwall); and the Rev. George Borlase, B. D. for many years fellow and tutor of St. Peter's College, Cambridge, and at present casuistical professor and registrar of that University. Besides Dr. Borlase's literary connexions with Dr. Lyttelton and Dr. Milles, before mentioned, he corresponded with most of the ingenious men of his time. He had a particular intercourse of this kind His affectionate parents, deprived of a most hopeful son, Contented, because such was the will of God." * I have accidentally two letters from Dr. Borlase to Dr. James Parsons, which my readers will not be displeased to peruse: 1. "Dear Sir, I have many obligations to Dr. Parsons; but that you have not only given my two poor Essays your reading, but, like a real friend, pointed out to me what is to be reconsidered, is the greatest of all. I will keep your strictures constantly in view; and if ever those pieces are worth revising for the press, your arguments will have great weight with me. It was far from my intention, when I was searching after second causes, to depreciate the first. Nothing in your excellent letter pleases me more, than the constant reverence which you express for the Author of Nature. Your just application of Natural Knowledge to the support of Religion is evident in all your writings; and I am the less surprised to find so much allowed to the supernatural fiat of God. Tis a proper exercise of the human faculties to enquire into secondary causes; but to decide peremptorily, and not ultimately refer to the wisdom and goodness of God, is very wrong. After considering the great catastrophe of the Deluge as much as I could, I really found the account of Moses the best I could follow: I am no Hutchinsonian, as you must have observed in several paragraphs; but my Theory, I found, could not but be conformable to Scripture, because every principal circumstance which the nature of things suggested throughout the whole process, is to be found, one where or other (at least according to my apprehension) in Holy Writ. When I suppose that the bed of the Ocean was raised, and conclude that effect not to be so great and stupendous as it may at first appear, when the small depth of the Sea, in proportion to the extent of the Globe, is laid into the same estimate; I would not be understood but that the supernatural power of God attended as well as caused this elevation throughout, regulated and conducted it to a certain height, and with the same care (if · I may so say) adjusted it's subsidence: so that far it was from my thoughts to exclude the preternatural interposition of God; I only with Mr. Pope; and there is still existing a large collection of letters written by that celebrated poet only suggest the probable materials with which this effect might have been produced, which no one knows better than yourself that former Theorists have been so much distressed about, that they have fallen into the most absurd suppositions, have torn the Earth to pieces, moved the Sun from its place, called down the Comets, had recourse to a new Creation, in short, reversed the World, and thrown imputations of defect on the Mosaical writings, which I think they do not at all deserve.-In opposition only to such chimeras, I endeavour to shew that the earth is stored (and ought to be so, when we consider the wisdom and knowledge of God) with a sufficiency of the requisite materials, and by its frame adapted to, and capable of producing, the effect; but the marshaling, disposing, and exciting these materials, I hope I have referred only to God's almighty power. I am sure it is my opinion. As to the cause of Earthquakes, I do not enter into the dispute, neither do I at all deny that electrical shocks may be attended with like effects; I should be extremely obliged to you, however, if you would inform me whe ther ignition or explosion in the bowels of the earth, affecting whole regions at once, will not presuppose that cavernous texture which I have attributed to the earth as the natural consequence of its first settlement. I writ the two theories as an introduction to the observations I am making on the Natural History of Cornwall, and am glad you think them fit for a Propylæum. Your opinion of the formation of Corals is very agreeable to what I take to be truth. The French Philosopher has proved the inhabitancy of the Polypi, but no more; and I can as easily believe that man formed the earth, because he builds upon and dwells in it, as that the semi-animal Polypi could form the branchy, and to all appearance, vegetable Coral. I could almost wish that your regard for me had been less, because I am afraid it has made you think more favourably of the theory and antiquities than they deserve. I remain, Sir, your most obliged and obedient humble servant, WILLIAM BORLASE. Ludgvan, June 15, 1754." 2. "SIR, The subjects of yesterday's conversation were so very entertaining, that it was impossible to prevent my recollecting and reviewing what had made so agreeable an impression upon me. As to the ring, upon second thoughts, I believe I was guilty of a mistake, and therefore I take the first opportu tunity of acknowledging it: I thought that AIABIOV might be two words, and the verb for transigas, or some such word might be understood, as is usual in the concise inscriptions of the Greeks but I am apprehensive, for I have neither Grammar nor Lexicon to make me certain, that dia, when it signifies per, will govern an accusative case; and therefore, if it had been uncompounded, that line would have been dia Giov, or dia Toy Slov: I therefore to our author. He furnished Mr. Pope with the greatest part of the materials for forming his grotto at Twickenham, consisting of such curious fossils as the county of Cornwall abounds with: and there may still be seen Dr. Borlase's name in capitals, composed of crystals. On this occasion a very handsome letter was written to the Doctor by Mr. Pope, in which he says, I am much obliged to you for your valuable collection of Cornish diamonds. I have placed them where they may best represent yourself, in a shade, but shining;" alluding to the obscurity of Dr. Borlase's situation, and the brilliancy of his talents. 66 therefore willingly retract, and think that AIABI V is one word, a verb of the Imperative Mood, which in our language, literally, must be translated, Live thou; but the Greek is much more expressive, and, by the happy idiom of that language, which gives spirit to their verbs by annexing prepositions, signifies in one word all that we can say in Live thou all thy Life long-happily. It has also occurred to me since I saw you, that the SECVRITAS of the antients is frequently represented on medals, as reclining on a low pillar, or rather tall pedestal, to express, if I am not mistaken, the stability of the Empire; and I refer to your better judgment, whether Cupid's standing on such a pillar may not intend the Constancy of Love. This Antique, by the engraving on one side, and the legend on the other, seems to me to have been designed as a Love-amulet or charm, which the antients persuaded themselves that as long as they carried about with them, they should not be unhappy.... If these amulets were ever so powerful, you are so happy in domestic life, as to have no occasion for them. I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, WILLIAM BORLASE. Norfolk-street, Monday, nine o'clock," SAMUEL |