was married, and had children; so that the baronetcy instead of an honour, most probably must have been deemed an incumbrance.

In the course of the same year, we find Sir Herbert on the Continent *; for about that time, he published a letter to the Princess Royal of England, now Queen-Dowager of Wirtemberg, "on the English and German languages;" accompanied by a table of the " Northern languages." This was always a favourite subject with him. When the late Mr. Manning†, in consequence of his acknowleged skill in Saxon literature, most happily translated and illustrated the will of King Alfred, from the original in Mr. Astle's library, our author was selected to superintend the printing, and conduct the whole through the Oxford press. This was accomplished in a way to do credit to the Editor.

Having been disappointed twice in his life, first as a lawyer, when he conceived the plan of a new edition of the statutes; and next as a man of letters, when he issued proposals for a Dictionary of the English tongue; and being also destitute of preferment in the Church, it is but little wonder, that Sir Herbert Croft should be considered as a disappointed man. Indeed, some years since, he disposed of his extensive library; and in 1801, retired to France with a very scanty income. It would appear from public documents, that a pension of 200l. per annum had however, been enjoyed by him for a considerable time; and it

* He was at Hamburgh, in 1796; and, in a letter from that city, he observes as follows:- "After editing King Alfred's will, in the Anglo-Saxon language, I determined on what I had through so many years wished for an opportunity of doing. I resolved with Skinner, Junius, Hickes, and Johnson in my hand, to ascend the ancicnt stream of the Elbe, for the purpose of visiting the fountain-head of the English tongue." He received about this period a superb gold medal from the King of Sweden.

+ The Reverend Owen Manning, F. R. S. and F. R. A. was educated at Queen's College, Cambridge, where he obtained the degree of M. A. in 1744; and that of B.D. in 1753. Having been nominated Chaplain to Dr. Thomas, Bishop of Lincoln, he procured through the patronage of that Prelate the Prebend of Milton Ecclesia. Mr.Nicholls, in vol. ix. p, 446. of "Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century," observes, "that to the literary part of his own country, Mr. M. performed a most acceptable task, in taking up, and by unwearied application completing the Saxon Dictionary began by his friend the Reverend Edward Lye." This work was published in 2 vols. folio, 1772.

might have been wished perhaps, that this grant had been encreased in favour of so meritorious an individual, whose zeal and loyalty were so frequently displayed in various publications. He never returned again to England, having died at Paris in April, 1816, at the age of sixty-five.

Sir Herbert Croft was a man, who to great erudition, and a most extensive knowledge of the ancient Saxon, as well as modern German and French languages, united a high reputation for social talents. He had been twice married; first to Sophia, daughter of R. Cleeve, Esq. by whom he had three daughters; and secondly to Elizabeth, sister of Henry Greswold Lewis, of Malvern Hall, in the county of Warwick, Esq. and Sarah, Countess of Dysert, by whom there is no issue.

No one more sincerely rejoiced at the restoration of the Bourbons. On the occurrence of that event, he addressed "Congratulatory Verses" to the Duchess of Angouleme; and also "Reflections," addressed to the Congress at Vienna. Both of these were written, printed, and published in Paris.

List of the Works

Of the Rev. Sir Herbert Croft, Bart. and B. C. L.

1. Life of Dr. Young, inserted in Johnson's Lives of the Poets.

2. A Brother's Advice to his Sisters, 12mo. 1775.

3. Love and Madness, a story, too true; in a series of letters, 12mo. 1780.

4. Fanaticism and Treason, or a dispassionate history of the Rebellious Insurrection in June, 1780. 8vo.

5. The Literary Fly, 1780. The first number appeared

Jan. 18, 1789.

6. Some Account of an intended Publication of the Statutes on a new plan, 1782. 8vo.

7. Sunday Evening Discourses, 1784. 8vo.

8. Letter from Germany to the Princess Royal of England, on the English and German Languages; with a Table of the Northern Languages. Hamburgh, 1797. 4to.

9. Hints for History, respecting the attempt on the King's Life, May 15, 1800.

10. Proposals for publishing by subscription a new edition of Johnson's Dictionary; corrected without the smallest omission; considerably improved, and enlarged with more than twenty-thousand words; illustrated by examples from the books quoted by Dr. Johnson, and by others, of the best authority in our own and former times.

N. B. The subscription 12 guineas. 1792.

11. Congratulatory Verses on the Restoration of the Bourbons, addressed to the Duchess of Angouleme, 4to. Paris, 1814; and

12. Reflections for the consideration of the Congress at Vienna, 8vo. Paris, 1814.

The Rev. Sir Herbert Croft, was succeeded in the baronetcy by his younger brother, the present Sir Richard Croft, a distinguished accoucheur.

[With an Analysis of his principal Works.]

THE life of this extraordinary man is replete with incident. It is difficult, however, to designate his station with exact propriety: for if the character of a Priest be indelible, as was maintained in Parliament, while discussing the case of a celebrated Philologist, he never could divest himself of that title and office. Certain it is, however, that like the Author of ЕПЕA ПITEPOENTA, he considered this as one of the many politic maxims of the Romish Church, which had become obsolete and of no avail, posterior to the reformation. Like him, therefore, he deemed himself, of late years, a layman, and always was styled, and wished to be considered, as well as addressed, in the character of a private gentleman.

In respect to his memoirs, ample materials exist relative to all the principal epochs. He was known to a wide circle of men of letters; and by founding, as well as presiding for many years, over a great, flourishing, popular, and benevolent institution, his name, character, and actions, have become familiar to the public at large. A gentleman * indeed, while he was yet alive, actually wrote and published his life, a task for which he had become eminently qualified by a long and intimate acquaintance; while the author of the present article has seen, perused, and had in his possession, a manuscript Biography, compiled under his immediate inspection, and corrected by his own hand.

David Williams was a native of Wales, having been born at an obscure village near Cardigan, in 1738. His father, once possessed considerable property, but in consequence of some unsuccessful speculations in that species of underground lottery connected with mines, his circumstances became embarrassed, and he removed from his former place of abode to the above county, with a family consisting of several children. While these were sent to a neighbouring school for education, the elder Mr. Williams endeavoured to seek for refuge from the reflections incident to his misfortunes, by associating with the Methodists, who then, as now, were extremely numerous in the principality. But not content with the consolations derived from religion, he determined to extend them to his children; and actually proposed to dedicate one of these to the ministry; indeed it appears to have been the very pinnacle of his ambition to have beheld his dearly beloved David a teacher, or as he was pleased to express it, a Saint among this class of Sectaries. He was accordingly educated, at Carmarthen, expressly for this purpose.

The late Captain Thomas Morris, who lived for many years, in the most unreserved friendship, and familiarity with Mr. Williams. They met and conversed daily; but at length, a coolness unhappily intervened, and not only their intimacy, but even their acquaintance ceased.

The Captain was one of the early promoters of the literary fund, and actually ape peared in the character of Richard III. for the benefit of that institution.