194 82. Five small bound books in 12mo. the greatest part not in Sir Isaac's hand, being rough calcu 66 lations. May 26, 1727, examined from No. 41 to 82 inclusive, and judged not fit to be printed, except No. 80, which is agreed to be printed; and part of Nos. 61 and 81, which are to be re-considered. T. PELLET." "It is astonishing," says Dr. Charles Hutton, in his Mathematical Dictionary, "what care and industry Sir Isaac had employed on the papers relating to chronology, church history, &c. as, on examining the papers themselves, which are in the possession of the family of the earl of Portsmouth, it appears that often with little or no variation, the whole number being many of them are copies over and over again, upwards of four thousand sheets in folio, or eight reams of folio paper, besides the bound books, &c. in this catalogue, of which the number of sheets is not mentioned." INDIAN ELOQUENCE. BURKE remarks, that the "rude, unimproved state of society is peculiarly favourable to the strong emotions of sublimity.' How just this observation is, may be seen from the choice specimens of eloquence, which have been occasionally published as the speeches of Indian warriors. For sublimity of sentiment, pungency of satire, and comprehensiveness of ideas, they stand, perhaps, unrivalled, and approach nearer to the language of holy writ, in sententious wisdom, than any other compositions. Mr. Jefferson observes, in his "Notes on Virginia,” “I may challenge the whole orations of Demosthenes and Cicero, and of any more eminent orator, if Europe has furnished more eminent, to produce a single passage, superior to the speech of Logan, a Mingo chief, to lord Dunmore, when governor of Virginia." Red Jacket, another Indian, appeared, some years ago, in the Supreme Court of New York, and made a defence of an Indian on trial for killing a white man, in a speech two hours long. Mr. Hamilton, who was present, sat enraptured with the majesty of the sable warrior's oratory. These men of the forest are wasting away; they will soon be driven into the Pacific Ocean. Why has no kind hand yet collected and put into some durable form the existing memorials of their genius and eloquence? Must it be left to some future Macpherson, to collect the scattered fragments, and interweave them in fictitious story, to delight another age? THE PLAGUE OF RICHES. Letter from the Rev. Mr. Matthew Pilkington to Dr. Delany. THOUGH you expected to see me the happiest man in the world, by the extraordinary honours which I received from his excellency, yet I cannot forbear acquainting you, you are greatly disappointed in that respect. Before I received his bounty, (which far surpassed my hopes, and was far more the effect of his generosity than any merit of mine,) I thought riches were so necessary an ingredient in human life, that it was scarce possible to attain any degree of happiness without them. I imagined, that, if I had but a competent sum, I should have no care, no trouble to discompose my thoughts, nothing to withdraw my mind from virtue and the muses, but that, if possible, I should enjoy a more exalted degree of content and delight in them than I had hitherto; but now I perceive these kind of notions have been the pure genuine effect of a very empty purse. My hopes are vanished at the increase of my fortune; my opinion of things is of a sudden so altered, that I am taught to pity none so much as the rich, who, by my computation (after three tedious weeks' experience), must of necessity have an income of plagues proportioned to their fortunes. I know this declaration surprises you; but, in order to convince you, I will, as exactly as possible, set down, by way of diary, the different emotions of mind which I laboured under during the first three weeks' guardianship (for I can hardly call it possession) of that same unfortunate, care-bringing £50; and have not the least doubt but you will believe my assertions to be true. Monday, Feb. 16th-Received this morning the agreeable news of being ordered to wait on his excellency, the lord Carteret; but, suffering a great deal of perplexity about appearing before one in so eminent a station, and so admired and eminent for learning, and every other perfection of the mind,-went, however, to the castle,-met with a very gracious reception,-had full proof of that affability, wisdom, and generosity, for which his excellency is so peculiarly distinguished, and which I knew before only by the testimonials of others. Was ordered to go to Mr. T. to receive the premium appointed by my lord. Memorandum.-I imagined my stature greatly increased, and walked more erect than usual; went in high spirits to the secretary's, but, as a drawback to my happiness, received the dispiriting account of his being confined to his chamber. Denied admittance. Memorandum.-His excellency easier of access than his officer. Tuesday, 17th-The secretary still sick. Paid a visit to his street-door about twelve; returned melancholy. Wednesday Friday.. Saturday. Sunday ..ditto. .ditto. ..ditto. ...ditto. ...ditto. ... Oh! 'twas a dreadful interval of time! Monday, 23d-Ordered to wait again on Mr. T. but, happening to be over eager to receive the sum, I hastened away too unseasonably, about half an hour after twelve, and found him asleep. Memorandum.-Admitted this morning to stand in the hall, and not at the door, as hath been slanderously and maliciously reported, I presume, because it happened so at other times. Walked in the piazzas till after one, ruminating on the various hopes and fears, with which my mind has been tormented this week past. Could not forbear repeating aloud the two lines of the libel, which, accidentally, are not more true of Addison than this gentleman. "Who, grown a minister of state, Memorandum.-Not under any apprehension of being understood by any persons walking there, which were only a few lawyers, and a parson or two. Saunter again to the secretary-out of hope. Permitted now to go into a wide unfurnished apartment: in half an hours' time admitted to his presence,-received a bill of £50,-returned with great delight. I now imagined that nothing was wanting to make me really happy I pleased myself also with the thought of communicating happiness to my friends, who would share in my success; and particularly to you, who are unwearied in endeávouring to promote the felicity of others. How far I was disappointed will appear by the sequel: so, to proceed with my diary:-I wrapt up my bill very carefully, yet could not forbear looking at it sometimes, though not oftener than at every street's length. But, mark the instability of all human affairs! As I was very attentively reading it, a pert swaggering fellow rushes by me; I immediately suspected an attempt upon my treasure,-looked as earnestly as I dared into the fellow's face, and thought I read "robbery" in the lines of his countenance, so, hastily slipt my bill into my pocket without its cover met a friend, told him of my success, and the generosity of his excellency; but, pulling out the bank-note hastily, tore it in the middle-dismally frightened!-came home, shewed it to my wife,-was more terrified at hearing that it would now be of no value,-received several compliments from her for my care of it,—and that I was likely to be rich, since I took such pains to preserve what I got, and the like. Went directly in a fit of anger and vexation to Henry's bank,-smiled a little, and spoke submissively to the clerk,-obtained a new. bill, returned again with joy: all things settled amicably between us. Memorandum.-Found, upon inquiry, that the ill-favoured gentleman above mentioned, was one Mr. What-d'ye-call-him, the attorney, of whom I need not have been in such terror, since he never was known to be guilty of such an action in a public way. Monday night, 12 o'clock.-Went to bed as usual, but found myself violently pulled till I awoke. Seized with a great trembling, when I heard a voice crying, Take care of the bill,-found immediately it proceeded from the concern of my bedfellow, who it seems was as ill-formed to possess great riches as myself, pitied her, told her it was safe,-fell asleep soon, but was, in less than two hours, roused again with her cryingMy dear, my dear, are you sure it is safe? Dont you hear some noise there? I'll lay my life there's robbers in the room! Lord have mercy upon us-what a hideous fellow I just now saw by my bed-side with a drawn sword-or, did I dream it?-Trembled a little at her suspicions,-slumbered, but was awakened a third time in the same manner,-rose about six, much discomposed, received a very solemn charge to be watchful against accidents, and let me beg of you, my dear, to have a great care of the bill. Tuesday, 24th-Became extremely impatient to have this tormenting bill changed into money, out of a belief that it would be then less liable to accidents-breaking of bankers, &c. Went to one bank, and was refused; yet was ashamed to go to Henry's so soon,-contrived, however, to get it exchanged, after a great variety of schemes and journies to several places. Came home, spread it upon the table to see the utmost bounds and extent of my riches,-all the rest of the day sat contriving where to lay it, what part of the house would be most secure, what place would be least suspected by thieves, if any should come,-perceived my mind more disturbed with having so much money in my custody than I had before. Tuesday night, 11 o'clock.-Went round my house to inspect my doors whether they were all safe,-perceived a great deficiency of bars, bolts, locks, latches, door-chains, windowshutters, fire-arms, &c. which I never had taken the least notice of before. Peeped with great circumspection under the beds. Resolved to watch this night, and prepare expedients for my security next morning. Watched accordingly. Wednesday 25th-Extremely fatigued with my last night's watching,-consulted several hours about preserving my wealth,-believed it most safe in bills. After mature deliberation, hurried away to the bank and took a bill for it, came away with an easier mind, walked about two streets' length cheerfully, but began to reflect, that if my load was lighter, yet, on the other hand, the bill might again be torn, be dropt, or mislaid,-went back in haste, once more received it in money, brought it home, looked frequently behind me as I walked, hid it,-resolved to lay out the greatest part of it in plate, bespoke it accordingly,-prepared my fire-arms,went to bed, not one wink of sleep all this night. Thursday, 26th.-Looked a little paler to day than usual, but not much concerned at that, since it was misinterpreted by my friends for the effects of hard study. Invited abroad for dinner, went,-sat down to table, but in that dreadful moment recollected that my closet, where my whole treasure was deposited, was left open,-was observed to change colour, and looked terrified,-not Macbeth so startled when he saw the ghost of murdered Banquo at the feast. Memorandum.-Money a perpetual apparition to a covetous mind. Ran distractedly home,-found all safe, but returned too late for dinner,-fasted, fretted. Well saith St. PaulMoney is the root of all evil. Thursday night, 12 o'clock.-Hired a watchman to guard my doors, went to bed, but no sleep; the same mind-plaguing riches floated uppermost in my thoughts: methinks they cried, Sleep no more! Wealth hath murdered sleep!-Slumbered, however, a little towards morning,-dreamt of nothing but |