Mr. URBAN, Birmingham, July HARLINGTON, Co. Middle sex, lies in the hundred of Elthorne, three quarters of a mile North of the Bath. road, and nearly fourteen miles from London. "The Parish Church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is an antient structure, consisting of a Chancel and Nave. At the West end is a square embattled Tower of flint and stone. The South Door has an arch of Saxon architecture, with zig-zag mouldings, and a moulding composed of cats' heads with long tongues curled at the end. (See Plate I.) "In the Church-yard is a yew-tree, cut in topiary work; the girth of it is 15 feet 7 inches, at about six feet from the ground, at which height it branches out into two trunks of nearly an equal size. A print of this yew tree was published in 1729, accompanied with some verses, by John, Saxy, then parish clerk." This account is extracted from Mr. Lysons's History of Middlesex Parishes not described in his Environs of London, p. 125-135, where other particulars relative to the Church and Parish are accurately detailed. Yours, &c. WILLIAM HAMPER. Mr. URBAN, May 2. READING Mr. Douce's most learned and amusing Illustrations of Shakspeare, with the last edition in 21 volumes, printed in 1803, for reference; I made the following remarks on the margin of my copy, which, if you think worthy a page in the Gentleman's Magazine, will gratify an old correspondent and constant reader. As Mr. Steevens had prepared the edition of 1803 so carefully for the press, that edition surely ought to be the standard one, in preference to that of 1793; his corrections and additions are considerablei n several of the plays, and in Macbeth only, amount to ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN. Mr. Douce will find that several of the small editions printed by the proprietors, particularly those of 1803, with glossarial notes, have marginal references to Acts and Scenes, as well as the surreptitious editions of Bell and Stockdale. GENT. MAG. May, 1808. Vol. I, p. 44, Mr. Douce's remark on Mr. Ritson's note is unnecessary, as it is omitted in the last edition, by his own desire, see vol. IV. P. 276. P. 50, Mr. Steevens has the same explanation, to cleave the pin, vol. IV. p. 303. P. 144, Mr. M. Mason's note, vol. VI. p. 386. P. 165, Mr. Ritson's note on the hundred merry tales is omitted. P. 177, Mr. Douce's quotation from Chaucer is used by Mr. Steevens, vol. VI. p. 180. P. 179. Duke Theseus, see note referring to 1 Chronicles, chap. i. vol. IV. p. 319. P. 195, "Now the bright morning star," is Milton's Song on May Morning. P. 254, But let us make incision for your love, see note by Mr. Harris, vol. VII. p. 261. P. 312, A Fistula, acknowledged by Steevens to be taken from Boccaccio and Painter, vol. VIII. p. 206. P. 339, What no man at door? is the common language of Yorkshire. P. 340, That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, which Mr. Douce says, is the same as eleven score, but Tranio's trick of eleven and twenty is one and thirty, just the game. P. 356. Streak'd gilliflowers. Mr. Douce and Mr. Steevens, I believe, are both wrong in calling Shakspeare's gilliflowers carnations; the plants known by the name of gilliflowers in the midland counties are the double wall-flowers and stocks; of the latter, old Gerrarde says, in page 459 of his Herbal, "They are not used in physicke, except amongst certaine empericks and quacksalvers, about love and Just matters, which for modestie I omit." This confirms Mr. Steevens's idea, that there is some further conceit relative to, gillyflowers than has yet been discovered. P. 369, Bellona's bridegroom. Mr. Steevens has a line from Chapman's Homer, Iliad 5. Mars himself, match'd with his female mate, The dread Bellona." Vol. X. .. 26. P. 370, Aroint thee witch. Mr. Steevens has a long note, explaining Hearne's print, vol. X. p. 29. P. 415, gib cat, lib cat, is the common term at this day in Scotland for a gelded cat. This is noted in the edition edition of 10 vols. 12mo. 1803, vol. V. p. 117, from the information of Lord Glenbervie. P. 428, Amaimom, see Mr. Steevens's note to the Merry Wives of Windsor, vol. V. p. 98. P. 461, The strappado, see Mr. Steevens's note, vol. XI. p. 290, describing this punishment from Randle Holme's Academy of Arms and Blazon. P. 470, mighly whiffler, a truly mighty whiffler, a gigantic figure, twelve feet high, is always carried before the Mayor and Corporation of Salisbury in their public processions at this day. Vol. II. p. 28, Sadness for seriousness; ay, in good sadness, is at present constantly used in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. P. 99. Hark, hark, the lark, &c. Mr. Reed has added a translation of Du Bartas's lines, from Elyot's Orthoepia Gallica, vol. XVIII. p. 475. P. 107, when flowers are none To winter-ground thy corse. Perhaps the words winter-ground are a typographical error for wither round. P. 109, The story of Cymbeline. Mr. Steevens has made some additions to it from an antient translation of the Decameren, printed at Anwarpe, 1518, vol. XVIII. p. 401. P. 200, erring spirit. Mr. Steevens has two quotations from Chapman's Homer, “My erring father," 66 erring Grecians we," vol. XVIII. L. R. I. p. 24. Mr. URBAN, April 23. HE late Dr. George Gregory Tserved a clerkship, to the late Alderman Charles Gore of Liverpool, merchant; and during the time of his clerkship was more fond of books and letters than waste-book, journal, and ledger. He was particularly fond of theatricals, and, by his exertions, a small private theatre was raised in Liverpool, at which place many of the youth then spent a deal of time, and a little money, in fitting up a large room, with scenes, benches, &c. This amusement led many of the young men to the stage; and there are some now on the public stage, who first took up the buskin here, and liking it, have since worn it to the present day with some credit to themselves. Amongst these was Mr. Charles Murray, who offered himself at the same time as the Doctor did. Mr. Younger gave, as we are informed, Mr. Murray encouragement, and he first entered his public career at York. Young Gregory was happy in his gesture and delivery, and esteemed the best on those points, yet his figure was greatly against him; this Younger told him -and farther, that upon account of his make, he would not do. The writer of this has been pleased with him in the characters of Hamlet, Richard III. and others; and he occasionally played Falstaff. In short, for several years, he was the head of the company, and generally styled "Theatrical Director;" an office appointed by the Society, and in other words, manager of these private plays. Strangers and friends were admitted per ticket only; except once, when the Company played for the bene fit of an unfortunate man of the name of "Leverton," an instrumentmaker, in the old theatre, Drurylane, for whom they raised à suticient sum to liberate him from pri son. a This Society on other evenings was debating-society; and again, on another night, was appropriated to the consideration of the Arts, Musick, Painting, &c. But Theatricals, under Mr. Gregory's influence, preponderated, and it was doubtful what line he would himself hereafter pursue, the buskin or the surplice; but his figure, with Younger's opinion, determined it. After his clerkship was out, he made a voyage to Portugal, and returning soon after went into the Church, and was an offici ating curate some little time in Liverpool, and offered himself a candidate for the office of Chaplain to the Corporation, and being disap pointed, left Liverpool and settled in London, as you have stated in your Magazine, p. 277. During his clerkship, he wrote odes, farces, plays, &c. some of which were printed at this time. Liverpool might boast of the best set of comedians out of London; an old play-bill laying before me, some of your friends, no doubt, would be glad to see such an assemblage of notables perform. They did not then visit Liverpool for a few days or weeks, but for the whole season, from the beginning of June 3 Dr. Gregory married Miss Nunes, daughter of Mr. Nunes, a merchant of Liverpool; a well-informed and agreeable lady. Much credit was due to Dr. Gregory for his persevering attention in the improvement of his mind, and for knowledge which was solely acquired by his own industry and application. Such was also Mr. Roscoe, then an apprentice to an attorney, who began to study Latin at the age of 21 or thereabouts. But they were not then very intimate. Mr. Munden was also an apprentice to Mr. Richmond of Liverpool. SCRIPTOR on the PROPHECIES. (Continued from p. 311.) G. HAVING stated the grounds upon which I imagine the Sun and White Horse, &c. to be the same individual, I shall next consider the signs by which that illustrious person will be distinguished; and endeavour to explain those traits in his character which will point him out to be an object of particular attention to the world; and, whose history and actions the Jews will do well to consider with the most serious deliberation, in order that, in due time, they might repose that confidence in him, which the vast importance of his mission will demand from them: for, as Moses and Aaron led them forth out of Egypt, so, I imagine, the Sun and Moon will bring them together to the Holy Land. We must not expect to see the character above alluded to averse to the innocent amusements of life, for it is the abuse of pleasure that is sinful. Our Saviour himself was not averse to innocent enjoyment, for his first Miracle was the turning of water into wine at a wedding. Jercmiah says (xxxi. 4 and 13.) alluding to the Jews' restoration, " Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O Virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry." "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow." Isaiah (xxiv. 23.) speaking of the latter times-times, as I suppose, preceding the Millennium, because his declaration agrees with what our Saviour and his Apostles foretold among other signs of the latter days, says, "When the Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusa lem, The SUN SHALL BE ASHAMED. This passage satisfies me that the Sun means a person; but it may be considered as refuting what I before advanced, that Jesus Christ will not reign personally upon earth; in reply to which I must observe, that God may be said to reign, when he is universally acknowledged and worshiped; and if he, as I before conjectured, should vouchsafe to appear to some of his chosen and principal servants in Mount Zion and in Jeru salem, he may be said to reign in Mount Zion and Jerusalem. In various parts of Scripture it is foretold that the "SUN will be darkened:" now by his being ashamed and darkened I understand that, like his great and almighty Master, Jesus Christ, like all the Prophets and Apostles in time past, he will undergo great persecution. Persecu tions are the lot of the righteous; and it is expressly declared by St. Paul, that, "The Lord scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." And our Saviour saith (Matth. v. 11, 12.) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven; for so per、 secuted they the Prophets that were · before you," It is possible that the persecutions of the Sun may subject him to scourging and imprisonment in chains, By By false accusations his reputation may, for a while, be darkened to the highest possible degree: he may even be condemned to an ignominious death ; but, whatever his persecutions may consist in, no doubt he will prove his innocence in a marvellous manner, and escape from all danger-like Joseph with his brethren and in Egypt-like Daniel, when thrown into the den of lionsand like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when cast into the burning fiery furnace. Isaiah says (xiii. 10.) "He will be darkened at his going forth;" i. e. when he first becomes, or is about to become, eminent in his Apostleship. Another Sign by which we must distinguish the Sun is, he will be turned into BLOOD: this, however, is not expressly declared; but, I conceive, it is implied in Scripture; for the Sun and Moon are put upon an equality in regard to their sufferings and services. Joel (ii. 10.) says, "The Sun and the Moon shail be dark." Our Saviour says, Matth. xxiv. 29, "The Sun shall be darkened, and the Moon shall not give her light." St. Peter (Acts, ii. 20.) referring to Joel's account of the latter days, says, "The Sun shall be turned into darkness, and the Moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come. Joel said, the Sun and Moon would be dark; St. Peter says, the Moon will be turned into blood; and I feel inclined to think, the Sun will be turned into blood, hoping, as I proceed, to say more to strengthen my opinion, The meaning of the phrase "beIng turned into blood," remains to be considered. When David left tending his father's sheep to fight Goliath, and to lead the armies of the children of Israel to battle, he might, with great propriety, be said to have been turned into blood, Is it improbable that such like meaning is intended; and that the Sun and Moon will not only be ministers of God's word, but become eminent warriors, and lead to battle the children of Israel against the Infidel King, who is to come to his end, and none shall help him? or, as St. John saith, Rev. xix; "He that sitteth upon the White Horse, and his army, will take the Beast and False Prophet, and cast them alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone," Another Sign by which, I imagine, the Sun will be known is, that He will go down at noon." (Amos viii. 9.) Might not this mean that the illustrious person, distinguished by the name of the Sun from his high and glorious office, will, in the middle of his public career, be deprived of his acquired honours, wealth, and power, for a short time? When Job was bereft of his substance and comforts, Ke might be said to go down. The Lord might say to Satan, as he said respecting Job, "Behold all that he hath is in thy power." (Job, i. 12.) If this interpretation can be admitted, though I acknowledge it to be liable to great objection, it will explain what Isaiah means, where he says, (ch. lx. 20.) "Thy Sun shall no more go down;" on which account I adopt it. Might not this mean, that God will raise up the Sun again, and as he did to Job, "bless his latter end more than his beginning?" I shall now proceed to offer a few conjectures about the MOON, the other great light or guide to the Jews. It is said in Scripture, that the "Sun will go down ;"-according to the analogy of nature, the Sun appears before the Moon, and there is no occasion for the light of the Moon till the Sun goes down; about which period, I conclude, the Moon will begin to display his signs. The chief reason which induces me to believe the Moon will succeed the Sun, is the description of the great wonder which St. John saw in Heaven, viz. "A woman cloathed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." This I imagine to be a description of the true Church of Christ, in shewing by whom she was to be clothed or firmly established. The twelve stars might denote the twelve Apostles, whose work has already been done in propagating her Doctrines, and testifying with their blood that Jesus Christ is the great Messiah," the true Lamb of God." The work of the Sun next follows, to confirm their doctrine, and throw light upon the subject over all the world. Lastly, the Moon succeeds, as being under the woman's feet, and becomes the last great light and Isaiah (xxx. 26.) says, the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun sevenfold." We We are told, that when the MilJennium is established, there will be no more occasion for the light of the Sun and Moon (see Isaiah, Ix. 19.-Rev. xxi. 23.); which passages afford a strong ground of presumption that the light of the Sun and Moon must guide and direct the Jews, till they are completely restored, and the whole world is convinced that the Lord he is God;" or, according to Joel, till "God has poured out his spirit upon all flesh." One word respecting the stars falling in the latter days. This, I conceive, must mean that the Ministers of God, dispersed through divers countries to teach and convert the Jews and Heathens to Christianity and a godly life, will in the latter days be so little regarded, on account of the prevalence of atheistical principles and infidelity, that they will fall almost into universal neglect. How far such observation is and may be applicable to the present times, others must decide. Having thus considered and explained the predicted Signs that will be visible in the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and whom I imagine them to be, I shall prosecute the subject farther, by contemplating the Signs upon earth, which are foretold to take place in those days: and St. Peter says (Acts, ii.) They will be blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke;" by which I understand, "great and bloody wars." Daniel, xii. 1, says, "There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time." And our Saviour calls them 66 days of great tribulation." Ever since the French Revolution in 1792, Europe and the World has not enjoy, ed much peace or happiness; but particularly heavy has the scourge fallen upon the Continent. It is said, Rev. xvi. 19, "The great city will be divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations will fall." The great city is considered, by commentators and the learned, as meaning the old Roman Empire. Therefore, the dividing it into three parts denotes it will, in the end, belong or be subject to only three great powers. The present revolution on the Continent shews, the cities of several nations have, and are likely to fall. Spain, Italy, Holland, and several principalities in Germany, may now be virtually considered as mere provinces to France; and probably, ere long, Portugal, Turkey, and all the other German principalities or nations, will be made subject to France, or must throw themselves into the arms and protection of Russia; in which event, the Prophecy will be fulfilled; for then England, Russia, and France will be the only inde pendent powers that possess the antient Roman Empire. It appears probable that this change of the great city into the threefold divisions, is destined to be wrought by the Infidel King, mentioned by Daniel, ch. xi.; particularly if we consider minutely some of his exploits foretold by the Prophet, and compare them with some very late events in the world, among which the following may be considered as singularly striking! Daniel, xi. 40, “And at the time of the end shall the King of the South push at him, and the King of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and horsemen, and many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow, and pass over.” Compare this with Buonaparte's successes. A short time ago, the Emperor of Germany made a grand push against the infidel King, Napoleon; and the Emperor of Russia, King of the North *, came against him like a whirlwind; going in person to Berlin, to excite the King of Prussia against him, and making every effort that zeal and courage could atchieve; personally did he join his troops at Austerlitz: and the great It is singular that the title of Emperor of the North has been given to the Emperor of Russia by Buonaparte, who acknowledges him to be the powerful Emperor of the North. See your last volume, p. 770, in his speech to the Legislative Body. Though France and Russia are now in alliance, I do not conceive they will long remain friends. The people of Russia are attached to England, and they will suffer The Empeby being at variance with us. ror will soon find that Buonaparte regards not his interest in the least, but only endeavours to make a tool of him to promote his own ambitious views. fleets, |