the father of the poor in his parish, and gave constant attention to the sick, both in, and out of the workhouse. The warmth of affection which he bore his wives, and the truly parental love which he shewed without distinction towards his children, are too much founded in nature to be mentioned as distinguishing parts of his character.

His knowledge in Botany will, from the works he has published, stand confessed; but, notwithstanding, natural history was ever his chief delight and employment, yet he by no means confined himself to that alone. He attended sedulously to all that knowledge which is requisite to make a good physician; and, in his profession, had peculiar success in treating the small-pox and nervous disorders. To his acquaintance with the ancient, he added also the modern languages; his own he studied critically, and had actually composed a grammar of it, and had made large collections towards a new English dictionary upon the same plan with Dr. Johnson's. These are still remaining in manuscript. His knowledge was solid, though extensive; and he was learned without pedantry. Though exact in his deportment, and grave in his carriage, yet he readily unbended into chearfulness, and had a high relish both for wit and humour, when restrained within the bounds of decency and good nature, and applied to proper objects.

Mr. Martyn was author of many valuable works in natural history, a few only of which we shall enumerate, as a complete catalogue of them is given in the Preface to his "Dissertations and Critical Remarks on the Eneids

of Virgil," a posthumous work published by his son, the present Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge, to whose obliging politeness we are indebted for this, and several other valuable communications.

"Methodus Plantarum circa Cantabrigiam nascencentium," 12mo.

"Historia Plantarum Rariarum," folio.

Five parts only of this sumptuous work were published, containing ten plants each. The design of it was to figure such curious plants as had never been figured before, of their natural size, and in their proper colours, with descriptions. The paintings were executed by Van Huysum, and the engravings by Kirkall; they are mezzotinto, and printed in their proper colours. The first part was republished in 1752, at Nuremberg, by John Daniel Meyer.

"Virgil's Georgics," with an English translation, and notes, 1741. Dedicated to Dr. Mead.

He had a considerable share in the abridgement of the "Philosophical Transactions," which he had enriched with many valuable papers, among which are,

"An Account of an Aurora Australis, seen March 18, 1738-9, at Chelsea." This was the first account which had ever been given of that phenomenon.

"An Account of an Aurora Borealis, seen at Chelsea, February 16, 1749-50."

"An Account of an Earthquake felt at London, February 8, 1749-50."

He was also concerned with Dr. Russell and others

in a weekly paper, called "The Grub-street Journal," which had a large sale, and was kept up till 1737.

The papers Mr. Martyn contributed, are distinguished by the signature B.

This is one of the most curious of the periodical papers it is a kind of minor chronicle of our literature. In a fine vein of irony it attacks the heroes of the Dunciad, and tells some secrets of their obscure quarrels.'

CHAPTER XI.

Ferry and Bridge.-Park Chapel.-Moravians,-Lord Cremorne's Villa.-Little Chelsea.-Brompton.-Villa Maria. -Dr. Dominicetti.-Dogget's Coat and Badge.-Mr. Jennings's Museum.-Pilton's Menagerie.-New Burial Ground.

FERRY AND BRIDGE.

THE Ferry formerly belonged to Thomas, Earl of Lincoln, who, in 1618, sold it to William Blake. In 1710, it was the property of Bartholomew Nutt, and was rated in the parish books at 87. per annum.' It became afterwards the property of Sir Walter St. John, and passed with the Bolingbroke estate to Earl Spencer, under whom it was held at the time the bridge was built.2

In the year 1766, an Act of Parliament was obtained for building a bridge over the Thames, from Chelsea to Battersea. It was begun in 1771; was opened for foot-passengers in the same year, and in the following year it was ready for carriages.

The structure is of wood; it is one furlong in length, and twenty-eight feet wide. It was built by Messrs. Holland and Phillips, and cost upwards of 20,000 7. 2 Lysons's Env. vol. ii. p. 176.

! Dr. King's MSS.

For several years the proprietors did not make common interest of their money; but, owing to economy, better management, and the increase of buildings on both sides of the river, this concern now amply remunerates them for their care and trouble; but had it been built with stone, as it was first intended,' it would not, even now, produce an interest of more than two and a half per cent. The Sunday toll not being doubled, as it is at Fulham Bridge, and the tolls of this being at least one-third less than at any other bridge over the Thames, prevent the proprietors from adopting those improvements which the circumstances of modern times imperiously call for; and which, from the care and pains bestowed upon this interesting concern by the present proprietors, it is to be hoped will not be much longer delayed.

Lamps were first erected on one side of this bridge in the year 1799; and this is the only wooden bridge across the Thames which has such an accommodation.

A foot-path should be made for passengers; some of the arches should be widened, and better and more direct roads are wanting on both sides of the river.

This bridge is freehold property, is divided into fifteen shares, none of which have been sold for several years, and entitles every proprietor to a vote for the counties of Middlesex and Surry.

A project is on foot for building a bridge from Chelsea to Battersea; the expence of which is estimated at 83,000l. Gent. Mag. vol. xxxvi.