deceived. I did not recollect, that a petty thief will steal a scraper Some time after the appearance of An Introduction to the Study of Polite Literature,' a certain reverend gentleman in the north republished the greatest part of that tract for the use of Sunday-schools, and others in general. To this compilation he has prefixed his name and his titles of honour, William Paley, M. A. Archdeacon of Carlisle.' But he was not condescended to make the least acknowledgment, or to offer the least apology for his plagiarism, though it constitutes the first thirty pages of his publication; to which he has subjoined the Catechism, a few pages of Scripture, two or three prayers, some divine songs, and other pious collectanea, which would not have answered his purpose, or been saleable, without the former part.

a

“I think myself amply justified in thus mentioning the editor of this disingenuous publication, as it continues to be sold (notwithstanding a former remonstrance) by his booksellers in Carlisle and Bond-street!* In his next edition the conscientious Archdeacon is desired to inform his readers, how such an invasion of private property can be justified on the principles of moral and political philosophy. As the ingenious young students of the floating academy are subject to penal statutes, it is but reasonable, that all pilferers in the republic of letters should be chastised, in proportion to their demerits. Your impartility, Mr. Urban, and regard for ingenuous learning, will, I hope, induce you to give these strictures a place in your magazine; not for the sake of the writer, but for the most important purposes, the discouragement of plagiarism, and protection of literary property. Yours, &c. J. ROBERTSON." "Carlisle, May 18, 1792.

MR. URBAN, “In the Gentleman's Magazine for February, p. 131, I am accused by the Rev. Mr. Robertson of invading his property in a certain work, published by him under the title of An Introduction to the Study of Polite Literature.' As you have thought proper to admit into your miscellany Mr. Robertson's complaint, I expect, from your regard to justice, that you will find a place for my answer. Your readers, then, must first of all be told, what, from the air of importance which is given to the charge, they would not readily imagine, that this same Introduction to the Study of Polite Literature,' is a spelling-book ; that one entire page of the original, for the crime of purloining which I am thus brought before the public, is verbally and literally as follows:

LESSON III.

A bag A nag-A bun A gun-A cap A map—A nut A hut--A mat A hat--A spy A fly and that, except some short directions for reading, all the pages taken by me are of the same kind with this specimen, proceeding, as is the manner of primers and spelling-books, from words of one syllable to words of more, and from polysyllables to sentences of different lengths. I mention this, not to detract from the merits of Mr. Robertson's performance, which is a very good one of the sort, but in order to shew that reputation of authorship could hardly be my motive for the theft. The truth and the whole truth of the transaction is this: About seven years ago, when Sunday-schools were first set up in Carlisle, I was desired to prepare some small tracts which might be put into the hands of the children and the masters. The point aimed at was, to afford as much instruction for as little money as possible. With this view, it was necessary to make one part answer the purpose of a spelling-book, and the other to contain the elements of religious knowledge. I executed the office of a compiler in the first part, by marking out to the printer some pages of an anonymous spellingbook, which had accidentally come into my hands as a present to one of my children. In the second part there is nothing of my own except a piece of four pages, entitled, 'A short History of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ.' The rest is made up of portions of Scripture, selected by me, chiefly from the Gospels, an old tract of Lord Chief Justice Hale's, two prayers, two hymns of Dr. Watts's, a piece of Dr. Stonehouse's taken from the Society's tracts, and another of Mr. Gilpin's. These two last-named gentlemen have not complained, probably, indeed, continue ignorant, of the injury that has been done them. Should they come to know it, I am persuaded that, instead of resenting the liberty which I have taken with their pious writings, they will rejoice to find them

* This fraudulent publication, entitled "The Young Christian Instructed in Reading," &c. bears some appearance and symptoms of guilt in its front. No London bookseller's name, though published in the metropolis!

made, in any shape, or by any hand, useful and accessible to the poor. My name as the compiler (for that is the word employed) was placed in the titlepage, because the bookseller refused to print the book without it; and it is placed there in the manner, so far as I know, commonly adopted by clergymen, for I am conscious of no affectation upon that head..

“Such was the birth of the little compilation which has provoked this angry attack. A few months after it had been printed, Mr. Faulder of Bond-street asked my leave to put forth an edition of it in London. I told him the first part was taken from a work, which, as I now understood, though I did not know it at the time, had been published by Mr. Robertson of Marlboroughs street; and that he must apply to Mr. Robertson for permission. Mr. Faulder made his application, and was refused; and upon that refusal, by my positive injunction, desisted from his design. If it has been printed and sold in London, or any where else, except in this neighbourhood, since that time, it is entirely without my participation or knowledge.

“Mr. Robertson says, that the collection would not have answered my purpose, or been saleable, without the former part.'-What purpose had I to be answered, but that which is expressed in the title-page, the Use of the Sunday-schools ia Carlisle? I never gained a penny by the publication: so much otherwise, that I paid the publisher his full price for every copy that I gave away. I am at this moment ready to convey to Mr. Robertson, or his assignee, my title, if he thinks I have any to the work, and all interest in it whatsoever.

"Mr. Robertson has not said that the sale of one copy of his book has been hindered by the appearance of mine. From the different quality of the articles, I am convinced that no such effect can follow. His is a fair volume, a beautiful type, and a fine paper, adapted in all respects to the use of genteel boarding-schools, and the nurseries of genteel families. Of all the low-priced helps to education with which parish children and charity-schools were ever furnished, mine, in these particulars, is the meanest. The two books, therefore, are calculated for a totally different description of purchasers. They can never meet in the market; no person who would buy his book would be content with mine. "This is my defence; but a part of my story is yet untold. Not long after this little book was published, and as soon as I knew Mr. Robertson's sentiments about it, the substance of what I have here alleged was drawn up by me in terms as respectful as I could frame them, and, being so drawn up, was.communicated to him by a friend to us both. Although I did not believe that I had injured his property, I was truly sorry that I had offended, and that also unknowingly, a gentleman with whom I possessed a slight degree of acquaintance, whose hard fortune in his profession I have often lamented, and whose literary merits entitle him to regard from every scholar. Mr. Robertson ought not, therefore, to have said that I have not condescended to make the least acknowledgment, or offer the least apology, for my plagiarism.' I did offer an apology, not indeed in print, which, I doubt not, is what he means, but by a mode of correspondence which, in my judgment, much better became both the subject and the parties.

And this, Mr. Urban, leads me to express my regret, that there should be one column in the Gentleman's Magazine which hath no employment more worthy of it than to convey to the public, what the public have no concern in a beggarly dispute about a few pages of a spelling-book, by the stealing of which (for so let it be called) neither the plagiarist hath gained, nor the proprietor lost, a fraction of a farthing. "Yours, &c. W. PALEY." This year, 1792, Mr. Paley was presented by the dean and chapter of Carlisle to the vicarage of Addingham, near Great Salkeld, the value of which was about 1401. a year.

I

At the commencement of the French revolution, during the violent commotion of the public mind, and the bold dissemination of wild and seditious opinions, he published an ingenious tract called, Reasons for Contentment, addressed to the Labouring Part of the British Public. With a view of restraining his countrymen from any schemes of hasty reform, he printed, as a separate pamphlet, the seventh chapter of his sixth book of Moral Philosophy; in which he defends the present state of our representation in the house of commons. To this "Essay upon the British Constitution" he prefixed the following advertisement:

What has passed in Europe, under the immediate observation of this coun try, during the last four years, hath naturally drawn the thoughts of the reflect

ing part of the English community to the constitution of their government. The conduct also of some principal writers upon both sides of the question, hath tended to excite, not only the attention, but the passions, of the public, and to force the subject upon the thoughts of multitudes, whose minds would, otherwise, have been very little disposed to entertain political speculations. I cannot, however, persuade myself, that the friends of public tranquillity have any thing to fear. The body of the British people appear to me to be satisfied with their condition; to be intent upon their various employments; and to be tasting the sweets of industry and order in the increased and increasing gains of almost every occupation. This state of the country is a strong security for its internal peace. Nevertheless, since these discussions are undoubtedly become very general, it is expedient that whatever any one has to propose, should be proposed in a form fitted for general reading. This reason hath induced me to publish the following apology for the British constitution in a separate pamphlet; as the work, from which it is taken, is hindered by its size and price from finding its way into the hands of many who might receive advantage from the perusal. Some late notices of that work, much too honourable for me to repeat, have procured to it a degree of regard, which will probably obtain readers for this part of it. I trust also that it will be a recommendation of the principles here delivered, that they were not made for the times or the occasion; to serve any purpose or any party; that they were committed to writing ten years ago, and under circumstances, which, if they were known, would exclude all suspicion of insincerity or design. The opinions I then formed were formed upon the best consideration I was able to give to the subject of which I treated. Since the publication of the Principles of Moral Philosophy,' I have written nothing, and, to speak the truth, have thought little, upon political questions ; for interesting as they may seem to be, or are, my age, and still more my health and profession, have taught me that there are other studies, in comparison with which even these are unimportant. "Carlisle, June 29th, 1792. W. P."

Although Mr. Paley had lost his friend Dr. Edmund Law, he still found a friend in the Bishop of Carlisle. Dr. Vernon, while in possession of that northern see, offered him the vicarage of Stanwix, which was accepted; and Dalston in consequence resigned, Paley with characteristic frankness thus explained his motive to a clerical friend: "Why, Sir, I had two or three reasons for taking Stanwix in exchange; first, it saved me double housekeeping, as Stanwix was within twenty minutes' walk of my house in Carlisle; secondly, it was fifty pounds a year more in value; and thirdly, I began to find my stock of sermons coming over again too fast."

Early in the year 1794, his View of the Evidences of Christianity was given to the public. In this luminous and comprehensive work, the historical evidence for the authenticity of our Scriptures, selected from the volumes of Dr. Lardner, is arranged with clearness, and stated to the reader with the utmost force and precision. Many persons are wearied into impatience by the number of pages he has occupied in proving the sufferings of the first propagators of Christianity. But as this fact is the basis of the work, it was requisite that it should be undeniably established superfluity of proof may be tedious, but deficiency would have been fatai. To those who shrink from the labours of weighing the detail of historical evidence, the two last parts of the work will be more interesting than the first. It is impossible to arise from a careful perusal of the whole, we will not say, without conviction (for that may be impeded by many obstructions in the reader's mind,) but without feeling a sincere admiration of the tenets of Christianity, and the character of its Founder; and without being impressed at the time with this sentiment, That however miraculous the truths of our religion may appear, we must assent to propositions equally miraculous, before we can conclude it to be false.

No one can accommodate a system of evidences to the doubts, capacity, and indolence, of every sceptic. The antecedent credibility of miracles is perhaps a difficulty that has struck every reflecting mind. Upon this subject, Paley's Preparatory Considerations, in which he exposes the sophistry of Mr. Hume, deserve the most serious perusal. Those who will not submit to read the numerous pages which follow (for men who are most petulant in their doubts seldom display much patience in attempting to resolve them,) will find the question of religion brought The present Archbishop of York.

to a narrow issue in Leslie's Short and Easy Method with the Deists. When the advocates of infidelity have logically answered this epitome of evidence, the whole of which is comprised in less than forty pages, the world will be ready to acknowledge their claim to that character of superior penetration which they arrogantly assume. The publication of the "Evidences" was most beneficial to the Author: it dissolved instantaneously the coldness of episcopal reserve which Paley had hitherto experienced. The writer of the Moral Philosophy and the Hora Paulina seemed to possess substantial claims upon the hierarchy, which is invested with patronage solely for the remuneration of learning and piety: but the freedom of some of Paley's sentiments might for a time perplex the most conscientious prelates, and make them hesitate how far it was expedient to bestow upon him any conspicuous marks of ecclesiastical favour. The appearance of the "Evidences" overcame all scruples—and minor discrepances of opinion were sacrificed in admiration of his, steady zeal and unrivalled talent in defending the cause of revealed truth. Dr. Porteus, the learned and amiable bishop of London, was the first to reward the advocate of religion, by instituting him, in August, 1794, to the prebend of St. Pancras, which is one of the most valuable in the cathedral of St. Paul's. In January of the following year, he was elevated to the sub-deanery of Lincoln, by Dr. Pretyman, bishop of that diocess.* This was a valuable piece of preferment, producing about 7007. a year. Another as lucrative soon followed from the Hon. Dr. Barrington, the present bishop of Durham; who without solicitation generously presented to our Author, who was a stranger to him, the rectory of BishopWearmouth. When, full of gratitude, Paley waited upon his benefactor to express his sincere acknowledgments; "Not one word more of this, Sir, (exclaimed the noble prelate ;) be assured that you cannot have greater pleasure in accepting the living of Bishop-Wearmouth, than I have in offering it to you." The prebend of Carlisle, and the vicarage of Stanwix being vacated, Dr. Vernon relinquished his right of presentation to the first in favour of the Bishop of Lincoln, and to the other in favour of the Bishop of Durham. Thus four distinguished prelates came forward almost simultaneously in order to reward talent, and dignify virtue. Three of them at this day survive the object of their patronage; and when the numbers who are delighted with the works of Paley inquire who were his rewarders, their names are remembered, and their liberality and discrimination applauded.

With his new dignities our Author assumed a new title. He took his degree of Doctor of Divinity in the year 1795, and preached the commencement sermon before the university, upon the dangers incidental to the Clerical Character. In his. Concio ad Clerum, or Latin discourse delivered as an exercise preparatory to the degree, he made an unfortunate blunder, which gave rise to a jeu d'esprit, which many in the republic of wit would consider it treasonable not to record. Being no very skilful prosodian, he pronounced the word profugus with the penultima long and lest this grievous offence against the Muses should be forgotten, it was ridiculed in the following distich:

"Italiam fato profugus Lavinia venit
Litora."

Errat Virgilius forte profugus erat.

Dr. Paley was inducted into the living of Bishop-Wearmouth, on the 14th March, 1795. Resigning his chancellorship, the vicarage of Addingham, and whatever duties required his presence in the diocess of Carlisle, he made his principal abode at his new rectory. Three months every year he was obliged to reside at Lincoln, in his dignity of sub-dean. He was now in possession of every thing that could gratify his taste, and give comfort and serenity to his declining years. His parsonage-house and grounds at Bishop-Wearmouth were commodious and agreeable: his income was large enough to allow him to indulge every liberal wish, and his bright and well-earned reputation would be to him a constant source of pleasing recollections. To confirm his tranquillity, and exclude any cause of acrimony and contention with his parishioners, he accepted for life an annual compensation of 7001, a year for his tithes. His glebe-lands, together with a limestone quarry, were let much below their value: so that notwithstanding his benefice was estimated at 12007, a year, it probably did not produce to him above two-thirds *Now Dr. Tomline, Bishop of Winchester.

of that sum. Happy would many an incumbent consider himself, if he could preserve even this proportion between the just and the actual product of his living. As to the clamours which we hear about the rapacity and exactions of the clergy, some may raise them to cast an odious stigma upon the sacred profession, others to shelter themselves in the crime of fraudulently withholding ecclesiastical dues; but can any impartial man give them credit, if he thinks for a moment on the relative situation of the incumbent and his parishioners? When, amongst equals, the many have directly an opposite interest to the one; is it difficult to foretell which party will be obliged to make concessions? If a clergyman, standing alone in the parish, can soothe the sullen, subdue the avaricious, and reconcile the dissenting, with so much success, as to make them rob themselves to aggrandize him; surely his eloquence and address must be as marvellous as any thing related by historians or poets. If this generosity, so injurious to themselves, is practised by various parishes in England year after year; either human nature has been libelled by the moralists who inveigh against its selfishness, or the clergy possess the art of Amphion and Orpheus, who could move stones, and stop the course of rivers! In the case of Dr. Paley, the parish soon discovered that, on account of the increasing value of land, they had made a composition most beneficial to themselves; but we are not informed, that they expressed any solicitude to re-adjust it upon a scale more equitable to the rector. He was content, and shewed no chagrin at the contract he had made; although it may be doubted, whether the lessees would have been equally forbearing, if they had relinquished as many pounds, as their pastor did hundreds.

Unwilling to enjoy his good fortune without participation, Dr. Paley married a second time, on the 14th December, 1795. His first wife died in May of the year 1791, leaving an issue of four sons and four daughters. His second lady was Miss Dobinson of Carlisle. He now often indulged in social visits both at Bishop-Wearmouth and at Lincoln. He acquitted himself in the duties of hospitality liberally, but without ostentation: for though his disposition made him enjoy society with zest, his prudence restrained him from being injured by its splendour, or embarrassed with its frivolity.

In the midst of private pleasures he undertook to discharge a public function of a nature entirely new to him. By the request of the Bishop of Durham, he consented to enrol himself on the commission of the peace, and assume an office for which he was eminently fitted, both by his natural sagacity and legal knowledge. His temper, however, in the duties of a magistrate, appears not to have been equal to his other qualifications; for he has been condemned, we know not how justly, for too much warmth and irascibility. greater purity of public morals, deserves much commendation. To check intemAn effort which he made, for the perance, and habits of prodigality among the lower orders, he attempted to diminish the number of public-houses, and to introduce more caution in the granting of licenses. His laudable wishes were frustrated, not from any want of zeal on his part, but from not being seconded by the due co-operation of the other magistrates. There is an incident related, in which his humanity is as conspicuous as his judgment. "During the cry of invasion, which followed the renewal of hostilities with France in 1803, a young man, residing in the neighbourhood of Sunderland, without any regular introduction, or apparent object, fell under the suspicion of being a spy. The rumour quickly spread, and obtained so much credit, that the general of division, commanding in that neighbourhood, became seriously alarmed, and applied to Dr. Paley for a warrant to apprehend him, at a very late hour of the night. The prudent magistrate, however, not so easily imposed on by so vague a story, saw at once the indelicacy of arresting, at such an unseasonable hour, a stranger against whom no overt act could be adduced; but on the following day, when the general and his suite were invited to a conference on the subject, sent him a civil message to attend. The young man immediately appeared. and by a steady though confidential disclosure of his name and circumstances, soon convinced the whole party, that the public had no cause of apprehension, since his present concealment originated solely in a domestic misunderstanding. Dr. Paley, indeed, was so much pleased with his good sense and apparent ingenuousness, that he immediately offered him any pecuniary or other assistance which he