Memoirs contained in the former Volumes of this Work. The Earl of Westmore- General Vallancey land The Bishop of Oxford The Marq. Wellesley Lord Cathcart The Bishop of Bangor General Urquhart Miss Seward The Duke of Northum- Major Rennel berland Dr. Knox The Bishop of Meath Opinions of this Work by the most respectable of the periodical Critics. This work proceeds according to its first design, and it seems to im prove as it advances with time. The volumes contain a considerable number of memoirs of persons, our contemporaries, who figure in the moral, the political, and the scientific walks of society. The discussion of living characters is a difficult and delicate task, but in the execution of it, the authors of this work have acquitted themselves with as much success as can Monthly Review. reasonably be expected." "This work excites much curiosity because it professedly treats of living characters, and we infer that its information is impartial and correct. It is but justice to own that we have been altogether amused by the pub. British Critic. lication. "A spirit of candour and moderation evidently pervades the present publication. Some of the characters are drawn with great discrimination, and display an acuteness of powers, and a felicity of expression, not to be found in the fleeting productions of the day, In short, the work abounds in moral and critical observations that evince correctness of judgment, and London Review. delicacy of taste." "This work discovers respectable traits of discrimination, and has the merit of being uncontaminated by the virulence of party spirit." Critical Review. "The memoirs contained in these volumes are full and accurate in point of information; judicious in their literary and critical strictures; and exhibit well drawn and appropriate characters of their respective subjects. They are not written under the uniform influence of any particular theoloNew Annual Register. gical or political bias.” DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. The Binder is requested to place the Portraits as follows: Mr. West and Mr. Grey To face the Title. Mr. Garrow and Sir John Borlase Warren Page 1 Sir James Mansfield and the Archbishop of York Mrs. Cosway and Major Topham 128 176 PUBLIC CHARACTERS OF -1804-5. 1 ADMIRAL SIR JOHN BORLASE WARREN, BART. K. B. N former periods of the English history, our young IN nobility and gentry had a more confined circle for their amusements, and a narrower theatre for their exploits, than at present. It was then customary either to serve a campaign or two in Flanders, or to pass their time at home, in the pleasures of a rude hospitality, and in the enjoyment of the sports of the field, which they carried to a degree of excess bordering on oppression. During the reign of Elizabeth, however, the insults of Spain, and the defeat of her boasted armada, pointed out a new field for the heroism of the nation; but in the time of James I. who must be allowed to have cultivated the arts of peace with success, a long and unbroken tranquillity, while it greatly contributed to the happiness of the nation, banished the fervour of enterprize, and damped the vigour of the people. Amidst the civil wars of the first Charles, the navy was, of course, allowed to B moulder 1804-1805. |