great, and has been transmitted to posterity with that character. The celebrated poet, Mr. Gray, in his Elegy on a Country Church Yard," has painted him in the glowing colours of a warm and active patriot.

HAMDEN, (JOHN) grandson of the patriot of the same name, a representative in parliament for the county of Bucks, was in the year, 1684, fined 177,600 dollars, for a real or pretended conspiracy. In 1688, he was also tried for high treason, and rescued from execution, in consequence of the revolution which then took place.

This descendant of the hero, who so gloriously resisted the payment of ship-money, after a life, which exhibited much to praise, much to pity, but more to blame, wrote, a few days before his death, a solemn address to his friends and acquaintances, from which the following extracts are taken :-

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Having been for a long period under God's afflicting hand, I think myself obliged to examine my conscience, concerning the causes, for which so many signal misfortunes have happened unto me; and I freely confess, that among many heinous sins, there is one, which more especially causes me great trouble, to which I was prompted by pride and vanity, so natural to the levity of youth, and the corrupted heart of man. Notwithstanding, my education was pious and religious, and that a firm conviction of the truth of the christian religion, was deeply implanted in my mind: yet, to obtain the reputation of a Wit, I assumed the character of an unbeliever, and main tained the doctrines of infidelity. My arguments, I confess were weak, and as such I considered them at the moment; yet I had the folly and presumption, to assert among my acquaintance, that they were unanswerable, by which unwarrantable conduct, I am fearful, that I have unhappily contributed to lead

others into opinions and practices, equally contrary to true religion and morality.

"I, therefore, think it my duty to make this con-. fession, with all possible sincerity, and with much grief of heart; to the end, that if I should die before I can speak with those whom I have perverted, they may return to the way of God; for, I solemnly protest, that the opinions I used to be so forward in maintaining, were wholly and solely the offspring of vanity, and an affectation of knowledge superior to my neighbours. And I make this declaration, with the most unfeigned sorrow, for having offended God, and in the humble hope, that he will pardon my sin, through the mediation of Jesus Christ. I earnestly entreate all those, who have been seduced by my example, to consider the eminent danger they are in, and beseech them to deliver themselves, without delay, from divine judgment, which here, or hereafter, will most assuredly overtake them, if they persist in their present evil courses."

HANWAY, (JONAS) was born at Portsmouth, in England, in 1712. He was early engaged in business, and from that circumstance, as well as the few traces of literature to be discovered in his writings, may be presumed to have received but a confined education.

If, however, to devote a long life, a large fortune, and talents, which if not splendid, were useful to the good of mankind and the advancement of public happiness, be deserving of applause and imitation, let the following narrative of the life of one, who is entitled to an honourable distinction amongst those persons who are held in veneration by the world, excite such as may feel a desire of obtaining well earned fame to follow the example of Jonas Hanway, in whose eulogium it will be no extravagance to assert, that the last century did not produce an indi

vidual, to whom the world was under more obligations, or in whom were united the virtues of the patriot, the christian, or the universal philanthropist in a higher degree.

In the year, 1729, he went to Lisbon, where he was employed in the counting-house of a respectable merchant, and soon after, entered into business for himself. It was not long, however, before he returned to London, and in the year, 1743, accepted: of the offer of a partnership with a merchant at St.. Petersburgh, in Russia. He arrived at that city on the 10th of June, where he was soon made acquainted with the Caspian trade, which was then in its infancy, and the object of the sanguine hopes of several of the most considerable merchants.

From that time, he indulged a desire of seeing Persia, in which he had very soon an opportunity of gratifying his inclination. The trade of the English nation over the Caspian sea into Persia, had, at this, period, been entrusted to Mr. Elton, who, not con-, tent with the pursuit of commercial affairs, had injudiciously engaged in the service of Nadir Shaw, to build ships on the Caspian sea, after the European manner. This alarmed the merchants in the Russian trade, and a resolution was formed, that one of their body should make a journey into Persia. On this occasion, Mr. Hanway offered his service, and was accepted. He set out on the 10th of September, and after experiencing a variety of hazards in that kingdom, during the space of 12 months, he returned to St. Petersburgh, January 1st. 1745, without having been able to effect his purpose. His disappointment was partly attributed to the jealousy of the court of Russia, on account of Elton's connection with the Persians, and partly to the troubles and revolutions of the latter kingdom.

Though Mr. Hanway's conduct, during this expedition, seems to have been directed by the strictest rules of integrity; yet some difficulties arose in settling

his demands on his employers. These, however, in the end, were referred to impartial arbitrators, who decided in his favour. "I obtained," says he, "my own, and as to any other personal advantage, it consisted in exercising my mind, in patience under trials, and encreasing my knowledge of the world."

He now settled at St. Petersburgh, where he remained five years, with no other variations in his life, than such as may be supposed to occur, in the dull round of mercantile employment. During this time, he interested himself greatly in the concerns of the merchants, who had engaged in the Caspian trade; but the independence he had acquired, having excited a desire to see his native country, he, after several disappointments, which prevented him from accomplishing his wish, left St Petersburgh, in July, 1750.

On his arrival in his native country, he did not immediately relinquish his mercantile connections, though he seems to have left Russia with that view. He employed himself for some time as a merchant, but afterwards more beneficially to the world as a private gentleman.

In 1753, he published " An Historical Account of the British trade over the Caspian sea; with a journal of travels from London, through Russia into Persia and back again through Russia, Germany and Holland. To which are added, the revolutions of Persia, during the present century, with the particular history of the great usurper Nadir Kouli,” 4 vols. 4to, a work which was received with great attention by the public. It is remarkable, that, at this juncture, our author had no intention of being so frequent an employer of the press as he became afterwards. In his dedication of this work, he says, "It has long been a maxim with me, that a book should be the true picture of the author's mind: such, with all its imperfections, I am sure is this The folly of writing, if it be one, I shall never comVOL. III. No. 17. C

mit again; and, having taken this resolution I have said all that I have to communicate to the public."

The above resolution, however, was scarcely made before it was broken. Immediately on the publication of the above travels, he was attacked in an appendix to a pamphlet, entitled "Reflections upon Naturalization, Corporations, and Companies, as relating to the Levant Trade, or Turkey Company." To this he published a short answer in an 8vo. pamphlet, immediately on the publication of his antagonist's work.

The close application he had bestowed on the object of this history, having considerably impaired his health, which at the best was but indifferent, he went to pass a few weeks at Tunbridge Wells, where finding himself, in a short time, considerably recovered, he set out for the continent, and after having leisurely visited most of the capital places, returned to England.

At this period, the clamour against the proposed naturalization of the Jews ran very high, and Mr. Hanway having joined the cry, published several pamphlets, in which he very forcibly opposed that measure. The controversy, however, which had originated from this cause, was soon terminated, by the repeal of this obnoxious bill.

In 1754, we find Mr. Hanway recommending a plan, for the advantage of Westminster and suggesting hints for its farther improvement, which were soon after adopted with very little alteration.

In 1756, he published " A Journal of Eight Days journey from Portsmouth to Kingston upon Thames,' &c. with an Essay on Tea, considered as pernicious to health, obstructing industry, and impoverishing the nation," which was afterwards re-printed in 2 vols. 8vo. His strictures on tea, in this work, occasioned the displeasure of Dr. Johnson, who attacked him without mercy.

At this juncture, Great-Britain was on the eve of