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considered, ten pounds then would be
equal to fifty pounds now.
This may
evince the great need there is of a revis
ion. Another paradox in the present
practice is, that, though the complainant.

On the legal view of the subject I shall endeavour to be brief, having great pleasure in being able to refer your readers to a masterly treatise lately written by Mr. Minchin, of the Temple, on this very subject, published by Dunn, of is required to swear himself not worth This performance has five pounds, independent of the claim in claimed the attention of several Reviews, dispute, he cannot send letters missive to a which have highly applauded the object, peer at less than sixteen pounds' expence, and complimented the writer on the which is tantamount to an entire prohiexcellent elucidation he has given, both bition of a suit against a nobleman; of the theory and practice of the law, which the Acts of Henry VII. and VIII. and the judicious suggestions he has never intended, but has been an impo made in reference to an improved prac- sition for the last seventy years only. It tice in future. There is strong reason to seems extremely desirable that a number believe this Tract has engaged the at- of barristers and attorneys should be spe tention of several distinguished charac- cially appointed to, the service of cases ters in both houses of parliament, and in Forma Pauperis, and they should that some measure will be submitted to have a moderate compensation from the the consideration of the legislature in state for the time and labour they devote consequence. The first Act of Parlia- thereto. This would remove the great ment enabling to sue in " Forma Pau- difficulty which now hangs over such peris," issued anno 1495, in the eleventh causes; for, should a professional man year of the reign of Henry VII. and has be successful in gaining some causes of been termed the Charter of the Poor this kind, he might have such numerous Man's Right, being very comprehen- applications, that justice to his own famisively worded for the furtherance of jus- ly and concerns would not permit him to tice, and containing no restrictions as to undertake them. That this proposition what he should be worth, except his ina- is not unreasonable, may be inferred bility to pay the expences of law pro- from the practice of the House of Comceedings. An Act of 23d Henry VIII. mons, in making annual grants for the confirms the same. A few years prior promotion of vaccination, agriculture, to 1495, an Act passed in the Scotch canals, schools, bridges, and roads. parliament nearly similar to that of Hen- is certainly to be regretted, that of the ry VII. and to this day the courts in three learned professions, that of the law Scotland make regular annual provision has no institution of charity or mercy. for causes in Forma Pauperis," by The benevolent institutions for the ailappointing a number of junior barristers ments of the body are very numerous; and attorneys to attend thereto; an ex- those for religious improvement abunample, worthy the imitation of our Eng- dant: but, in the department of law lish courts. It does not appear that any nothing is to be found but its terrors. Act of the British Parliament affixed any The want of a Dispensary in the law, I sum as a limitation to suitors in Forma think, must be so evident, and its existPauperis. But an Act in the reign of ence so promotive of comfort and consoGeo. II. enacted, that crown debtors lation in some of the most trying cirshould not avail themselves of the law of cumstances of life, that I must much Forma Pauperis, unless they averred mistake the benevolent character of my they were not worth five pounds; which countrymen, if its projection is not hailed clause, though it has no relation to com- with an ardour worthy so good a cause. mon debtors, has been unwarrantably I am persuaded its establishment would applied by rule of court to all cases of not be one of the least glories of the debt, evincing how much the lawyers present age, and that its beneficial effects were disposed to shut the door against might be felt through ages yet to come. Forma Pauperis causes. In the reign of Such are the vicissitudes attendant on Charles II. a rule of court first fixed ten property, that the rich man of to-day pounds as a limitation; but, it should be cannot be assured he may not require its

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pay

aid; and, as promotive of the general its system, that, by paying a composicause of justice, liberty, and right, it tion of both debt and costs, it operated as would be dear to the heart of every true a premium on litigation; and that a far Englishman. To recount in detail ma- greater part of its subscriptions, large as ny of the beneficial effects likely to flow they have been, have gone in the therefrom, would extend this essay to ment of attorney's costs than creditors' too great a length; but it may be re- debts, fully appears from the society's marked, that its mere existence as an os- own reports. tensible recourse against oppression and Another superior feature in the sysimposition, would, of itself, have a pow- tem of this new institution is deducible erful tendency to repress them in all from the reasonable expectation, that their shapes; that it might be most use- should it prove eminently useful in seful in a mediatorial capacity; and, as curing considerable property to the presenting an ægis for the protection of rightful owners, or protect individuals the rights of all, is admirably calculated from very injurious impositions, it is not to conciliate the respect and affections of unlikely that those persons who have the poor. been rendered comfortable in life by the Important circumstances which have society's interference, may feel it a duty recently occurred, have induced a belief and pleasure at their death to remember that the present is a favourable juncture the cause of others similarly circumstancfor such a design. The alteration of the ed, by which means, in the course of law, as to the sum on which a person time, its funds may be established so as can be arrested, has diminished, in some not to require much assistance by way degree, the evils of imprisonment for of subscription.

debt; but above all, the Act passed for In conclusion, it is not apprehended the relief ofinsolvent debtors, introduced that much apology is necessary for by Lord Redesdale, will have a still bringing before the public a design for greater effect on the same object'; that it what may be termed, the greatest of all is not probable there will in future be charities; inasmuch as its operation such great occasion for the aid so lauda- would supersede the occasion and necesbly extended by the society for the lib- sity of many which now exist. Numereration of persons confined for small ous are the calamities it might prevent, debts. It must be far from the wish of for it cannot be doubted, that many a this institution to attempt to withdraw man need not have become bankrupt, or any part of the requisite support from entered the dismal wall of a prison, if that excellent charity; but, apprehend- he had been able to obtain his just ing it cannot in future need so great as- rights; and that the insurmountable ex- / sistance from the public as formerly, it is pence of law, has been the proximate suggested that the objects of this new cause of the wreck of his affairs! In charity may very naturally look for sup- such an expansive field of beneficence, port from many of those truly benevo- it is vain to attempt to recount the diverlent and respectable characters, who have sity of its operations; but let it be reso conspicuously evinced their compass- membered, for our encouragement, that ion for the poor and distressed by reason the noblest, institutions and charities in of debt; and that, by only not with this nation have generally had an unexdrawing any part of the amount of their pected origin. In a free country it is former contributions, they may have a the privilege, right, and duty of every. gratifying opportunity of giving a new man, to render the greatest possible serdirection to their benevolence, with an vice he can to his country, to mankind, improved object, inasmuch as prevention, and to the cause of freedom; and it is at which this society aims, is better than equally the privilege and duty of others, cure, which was only partially effected who wish the amelioration of human by that and it may be remarked, that condition, to embrace such favourable however beneficial in the relief of indi- opportunities as may be presented; for viduals that society has been, still this by such co-operation alone it is, that all great disadvantage unavoidably attended improvements in society have been, and

will be effected. "As moments make but five or six, there being, in the reyears, and atoms the globe itself," so maining thirteen, six or seven in outthe means whereby Providence exalteth line, of inferior interest and value, severa nation, are the virtues infused into al of them badly copied from the Asiatic great minds, and to refuse either our Researches. Two of the remaining applause or assistance, is to deny our- finished ones are copied from Lord Vaselves the means of exaltation and honor. lentia's Travels, and two, I think, from Mr. Home. I know no reason why I should not consider these ten numbers as a fair specimen, relatively to the matter in question, of the whole work.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

I

to

SIR,

HAD not the slightest expectation I should ever have to trouble you Now, Mr. Editor, I ask, in great simagain on the subject of the work of M. plicity, would any one of all your numeLanglès. But as a small piece of jus- rous readers, that should not have been tice to Messrs. Daniell, I hope you will previously informed on the subject, have allow room in your valuable Misscellany ever guessed at such a state of the case for a few paragraphs, in answer to Sir J. as this from Sir. J. B's. statement :Byerley's remarks in your last Number, "The friends of M. Langlès have supon my letter in the February Number; plied him with many original drawings, since, if those remarks should be allowed and for others, he very properly availed pass as correct, some proportion of himself of the work of Messrs. Daniell, your numerous readers might receive the among others." "The work of Messrs. impression that those artists, or some D. among others!" A little assistance, person in their interest, and with their supplementary to the numerous drawings approbation, have been making a spiteful and envious attack on M. Langlès, misquoting and misrepresenting him, in order to give it the greater effect. For this to be believed, as extensively as your Magazine circulates, might do those distinguished artists some small degree of injury, in point both of reputation and

interest.

supplied by his friends! The palpable fact
is, that he has appropriated the substance
of their work; that the graphical part of
the book, the part which will make it so
very expensive, the part in virtue of
which it is to deserve Sir J. B's. epithet
of "splendid," is mainly a copy from
Messrs. Daniell.

The case being so, I re-assert, and all Permit me, Mr. Editor, a few words your readers, but Sir J. Byerley, will in the way of plain statement of the agree with me, that in the Introduction, fact, as to the extent to which M. Lan- purporting to give a general view of the glès avails himself of the work of Messrs. nature of the work, and the means and Daniell. When I wrote before I had materials possessed for its construction, seen only the first three Numbers of the there ought, in all honesty and decency, French work, being all that could, at to have been a most explicit acknowlthat time, be procured of a French edgment that, for the sumptuous part of bookseller in London. I have now it he should in a great measure, appropriseen the first ten, which were, a few ate the work of the two Englishmen, weeks since, all that had been imported. because he should find it in vain to seek These ten Numbers contain fifty-eight elsewhere for picturesque materials plates, that is to say, considerably more equally valuable for his purpose. than one-third part of the whole promis- But Sir J. Byerley insists, that M. ed series. Of these fifty-eight plates, Langlès has made an acknowledgment, forty-five are simply copied from Messrs. "in the most handsome terms,' to D's." Architecture, Antiquities, and Messrs. Daniell; and in the very paraLanscape Scenery of Hindoostan."* graph which I quoted from the IntroSir J. B. will not deny this fact. These duction, and which, he says, I have misforty-five include all the finished plates translated and mutilated to make the contrary appear. The beginning of that paragraph, he says, runs thus:

* I include in that work the twenty-four engravings from Mr. Wales's drawings ur Ellora, which were presented to Messrs. Daniell.

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least, shall ot be accused of having work of M. Salvyns, or Solryns, and copied, simply imitated, Messrs. then adds the sentence given by Sir J. B. Gough, Crawford, Holmes, Hodges, "Far from pretending by this obserColebrooke, Pennant, Maurice, and vation to depreciate labours of which we Daniell, who, like us, have been occupi- feel, perhaps, more than any other all ed on the antiquities and the monuments the importance, we shall seize with arof Hindoo architecture and sculpture." dour the occasion of paying to the auI observe, first, that if M. Langlès thors a public and truly sincere tribute had said what is here ascribed to him, he of esteem and gratitude; and, we here would, as far as relates to Messrs. Daniell, solemnly pledge ourselves to quote them have uttered a gross untruth, as the facts most accurately whenever we place them above stated prove. But, secondly, un- under contribution." less different copies of his work are dif- I perfectly agree with Sir J. B. in ferently printed, he has said nothing of regretting, that the work of Messrs. the kind. The sentence commencing Daniell could not have been accompan the paragraph, and without any preced- ied by such a learned commentary as ing words in connexion with it, is M. L. is now producing; and sincerely literatum thus :— wish they may, according to his sug

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Ce plan, comme on voit, est fort gestion, be induced to adopt some plan différent de celui qu'ont adopté M. M. for availing themselves of it. Gough, Crawfurd, Holmes, Hodges, I have not a word to say against Sir Colebrook, Pennant, Maurice, et Das J. B's. accumulation of encomiums on niell, qui, comme nous, se sont occupés the learning of M. L. .; my business, was des antiquites et des monuments d' archi- to prove, that in this particular he has tecture et de sculpture hindous." acted disingenuously. May 15.

Z. Z.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine,

SIR,

I cannot be morally certain that the press was not altered before all the impressions of the sheet were taken off; the thing is just possible, but in so elaborately prepared a work highly im- N the present unproductive state of probable; but unless there was such a all industry in England, it would be change made during the printing, or un- acceptable to many of your readers to less there has been another edition than learn the actual state of society in the the one hitherto sold by the French United States, and the prospects of booksellers in London, Sir J.B. has man- industry in that country, from any intelifested a most extraordinary temerity. ligent English travellers recently returned.

After the sentence I have transcribed to this side of the Atlantic. in French, M. Langlès adverts to the

DAVI

PUBLICOLA.

COLLECTIONS FROM AMERICAN LITERATURE.

labours, and to see his offspring grow

MEMOIRS of DAVID RAMSAY, M. d. AVID RAMSAY was born in Lancas- up around him, ornaments of society, ter county, Pennsylvania, on the and props of his declining years. 2d day of April, 1749. He was the Having completed the usual college youngest child of James Ramsay, a re- course at sixteen, he was enabled to despectable farmer, who had emigrated vote some time to the general cultivation from Ireland at an early age, and by the of his mind before he commenced the cultivation of his farm, with his own study of physic; and he spent nearly hands, provided the means of subsistence two years in Maryland, as a private tuand education for a numerous family. tor in a respectable family, devoting him-. He was a man of intelligence and piety, self to books, and enriching his mind, and early sowed the seeds of knowledge with stores of useful knowledge. and religion in the minds of his child- He then commenced the study of phyren. He lived to reap the fruits of his sic under the direction of Dr. Bond, in

Philadelphia, where he regularly atten- to call into exercise the active energies ded the lectures delivered at the College of the human soul, to bring forward of Pennsylvania, the parent of that cele- modest merit, to destroy luxury,-and brated medical school which has since establish simplicity in the manners and become so distinguished. Dr. Rush habits of the people, and, finally, to was then professor of chemistry in that promote the cause of virtue and religion. college; and this led to a friendship be tween Dr. Rush, the able and accomplished master, and Ramsay, the ready, ingenious and attentive student, that was fondly cherished by both, and continued to strengthen and increase to the latest moment of their lives.

In every period of the war Dr. Ramsay wrote and spoke boldly, and constantly; and by his personal exertions in the legislature, and in the field, was very serviceable to the cause of American liberty. The fugitive pieces written by him, from the commencement of that On settling in Charleston, he rapidly struggle were not thought by himself of rose to eminence in his profession and sufficient importance to be preserved ; general respect. His talents, his habits yet it is well known to his cotemporaof business, and uncommon industry, ries, that on political topics, no man eminently qualified him for an active wrote more or better than Dr. Ramsay part in public affairs, and induced his in all the public journals of the day. fellow-citizens to call upon him, on all A political piece, written by him at occasions, when any thing was to be this period, entitled "A Sermon on done for the common welfare. In our Tea," has been mentioned with great revolutionary struggle he was a decided commendations, and excited much attenand active friend of his country, and of tion at the time. It abounded with the freedom, and was one of the earliest and finest strokes of satire. The text is takmost zealous advocates of American en from the epistle of Paul to the ColosIndependence. His ardent imagination led him to anticipate the most delightful results, from the natural progress of the human mind when it should be freed from the shackles imposed on it by the oppressions, the forms, and the corruptions of monarchy and aristocracy.

sians, 2d chapter, 21st verse, "Touch not, taste not, handle not." The whole discourse was a happy appeal to the feelings of a people who associated with the use of tea the idea of every evil. The writer very ludicrously represents Lord North holding forth chains and halters in On the 4th of July, 1778, he was ap- one hand, and in the other a cup of tea, pointed to deliver an oration before the while the Genius of America exclaims, inhabitants of Charleston. The event with a warning voice, "Touch not, of the contest was yet doubtful; some taste not, handle not, for in the day that dark and portentous clouds still hung thou drinkest thereof thou shalt surely about our political horizon, threatening, die." Dr. Ramsay was in his youth. in gloomy terror, to blast the hopes of much distinguished for wit and humour. the patriot; the opinions of many were His cotemporaries at the College of poised between the settled advantages of Philadelphia well remember that an ora a monarchical government, and the untri- tion, which he there delivered in public, ed blessings of a republic. But the on the comparative state of the ancient mind of David Ramsay was never and modern practice of physic, was reknown to waver; and in this oration, plete with humorous observations on the the first ever delivered in the United former, much pungent satire on quackStates on the anniversary of American ery, and several touches of the purest independence, he boldly declares, that attic wit. We mention this, because in "our present form of government is ev- the latter periods of his life it was only ery way preferable to the royal one we from some occasional remark, in his mo have lately renounced." In establishing ments of relaxation, that we could disthis position, he takes a glowing view of cover this original trait in Ramsay's the natural tendency of republican forms character. of government to promote knowledge,

3 W

For a short period he was with the
MON. MAG. No. 285.

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