DAVID HENRY, ESQ. was born in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, Dec. 26, 1710; " of a family," to use his own expressive words in a letter which Death prevented his finishing, "more respected for their good sense and superior education than for their riches; as at every neighbouring meeting of the gentlemen they were amongst the foremost. . . . I left both country and friends," he adds, "before the age of 14; and may be truly said never to have seen either since, if by friends are meant assistants." Mr. Henry was literally the artificer of his own fortune. His inclinations having fixed him in the profession of a Printer, and a concurrence of circumstances placing him within the notice of Mr. Edward Cave, an universal encourager of merit, he favoured our young Printer with his protection; and in 1736 Mr. Henry became related to his patron, by marrying his sister, Miss Mary Cave. About this period he lived in habits of intimacy with the celebrated Dr. Franklin and the late Mr. Strahan, who, like himself, were both at that time Journeymen Printers. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Henry commenced business at Reading, where he established a provincial newspaper, for the use of that town, and of Winchester, where he had likewise a printing-office, In 1754 we first find his name used in the Gentleman's Magazine as a partner at St John's Gate, where he continued to reside for many years with great reputation; and he possessed the freehold property of the Gate and its appurtenances at the time of his death, which happened at Lewisham, June 5, 1792, in his 82d year; after having for more than half a century taken an active part in the management of the Magazine; in which the most painful portion of the labour is the fre quent occasions that occur of lamenting the loss of those whom we more particularly esteem. In this class our late very worthy Associate might with great sincerity be ranked. His literary labours would reflect much credit on his memory if an accurate list of them could be obtained; but his modest merit ever disclaimed the just praise which talents and industry like his deserved. The only printed volume, that we recollect, which bears his name, was an admirable compilation (whilst he lived at Reading) under the patronage of Dr. Bolton, Dean of Carlisle, intituled, "Twenty Discourses on the most important Subjects, carefully abridged from the Works of the late Archbishop Tillotson, and adapted to the meanest Capacities, with a View to their being dispersed by those who are charitably inclined;" of which a second edition was published in 1763, a fourth in 1779. "The motive," says Mr. Henry, " that I had to abridge these most valuable compositions was, that I might spread them, that I might make them the more easily purchased, and thereby the more generally read. Few of my readers are likely to acknowledge the pains I have taken. Praise, indeed, of any kind, is not to be expected from a work of this nature. The most it has to hope is, that it may escape censure. If I have furnished any occasion for a just one, I have this to say in my excuse, that no care was wanting in me to avoid it." Those useful and popular publications which describe the curiosities in Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Church, and the Tower of London, were originally compiled by Mr. Henry; and had been improved by him through many successive impressions. One of the principal amusements of his life was the study of Agriculture, which he understood from practice as well as theory. During his residence at Reading, the management of his newspaper occasioned him many long journeys, in all which he treasured up great stores of useful information; and, on his quitting St John's Gate, he occupied a considerable farm at Beckenham in Kent. The result of these observations he gave to the pablick, in 1772, under under the title of "The complete English Farmer; or, a Practical System of Husbandry; in which is comprised a general View of the whole Art of Husbandry;" but from this he withheld his name, as he did also from "An Historical Account of all the Voyages round the World, performed by English Navigators," 1774, in four volumes, 8vo, of which the first and second were compiled by Mr. Henry; the third and fourth by another hand; to which, in 1775, Mr. Henry added a fifth, containing Capt. Cooke's Voyage in the Resolution; and in 1786 a sixth, containing the last Voyage of Capt. Cook; introduced by an admirable summary of all the Voyages undertaken for discovery only, in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, and in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Of the more immediate productions of his pen in the Magazine, the enumeration would be endless; but I may be allowed to suggest, that in every line he wrote is demonstrated a rectitude of heart, and a soundness of understanding, particularly in the general politicks of every quarter of the globe, that will not easily be surpassed; and that his death, though at a ripe old age, was truly lamented by all who had the happiness of his acquaintance. By himself it was foreseen with a confidence which the mens conscia recti alone could inspire. With a look of inexpressible benevolence, not many hours before his departure, he squeezed the hand which now records his loss, declaring his entire resignation to the divine pleasure. My death-warrant," he said, "is signed; and I have no dread of dissolution. Why should we fear?" Then, calmly reclining back his head, he placidly repeated, "I will lie down, and die." 66 His remains, attended by a small party of select friends (amongst whom was one who now records his history), were placed, on the 13th, in the vicar's vault under the church of Lewisham. Mr. Henry, after having been almost nine years a widower, and having also lost one only daughter, mar married secondly, in 1762, Mrs. Hephzibah Newell; who survived him till Feb. 2, 1808; when she closed a long life, passed in acts of beneficence, at the age of 82. She died at Charlton in Kent, and was buried at Lewisham. Richard Henry, Esq. an only son by the second marriage, entered early in life into the military service of the East India Company; and died unmarried, Dec. 27, 1807, having at that time acquired the rank of Major. His only sister, Hephzibah, is the wife of Mr. F. Hommey, Master of the well-known Military Institution at Charlton. MR. DANIEL PRINCE, Many years a very eminent Bookseller and Printer at Oxford. During the long period of his being manager of the University-press, many valuable publications of course passed under his superintendance. Those in which he most prided himself will be seen in the following list, which not long before his death he transmitted to me as a curiosity: "Blackstone's Magna Carta," 1759, 4to. "Marmora Oxoniensia," 1763, fol. "Listeri Synopsis Conchyliorum," 1770, fol. "Blackstone's Commentaries," 4 vols. 4to. 3 editions, 1770, &c. "Kennicott's Hebrew Bible," 2 vols. fol. 1776. "Ciceronis Opera, 10 vols. 4to. 1784. "Bradley's Observations and Tables," all printed in 1788, [but not published for some years after.] Mr. Prince married a sister of Dr. Hayes; and died in New College Lane, Oxford, June 6, 1796, in his $5th year. *The first husband of this lady (whose maiden name was Appletree) was the well known and respectable master of the old Jerusalem Tavern in Clerkenwell, by whom she had one daugh ter, still living, the wife of Mr. John Bonnycastle, a name well known in the Republick of Letters as the Author of many valua ble scientific publications, and Principal Mathematical Master of the Royal Academy at Woolwich. In Mr. Urban's Obituary, vol. LXVI. p. 530, it was very justly stated, that his loss would be severely felt by many persons who were the objects of his bounty, and by all those who had the happiness to enjoy his friendship. His communications to that Miscellany were frequent and curious. The Poetical Department in March 1796 was enriched by him with some valuable verses by Mr. Thomas Warton, on Miss Cotes and Miss Wilmot; and that in June by a political poem of Lord Hervey's, originally printed in the first edition of Dodsley's Poems, but withdrawn before publication, as it was supposed to be too personal for the time *. * Take an instance or two, out of a thousand which might easily be recollected of Mr. Prince's inclination to forward the literary pursuits of his friends. They are addressed to Mr. Gough. Oxford, April 4, 1781. "DEAR SIR, I hope you received a small Parcel from me by Coach yesterday, containing Dr. Warburton's Strictures on Neal's History of the Puritans, &c. To-day I applied in person to Mr. Warton, for I had really forgotten the performance, and enquired of him after "Inscriptiones antiquæ Romanæ metricæ," which he tells me he published about 20 years ago;-that the Copies were put in Mr. Dodsley's hands;-that he has wanted one himself some years, but cannot get it from Dodsley or elsewhere. Still Mr. Warton is confident they never sold; and that it is probable a number are yet with Mr. Dodsley; and recommends to apply to Dodsley's Warehouseman, giving him the title as much at large as possible. I am always, Sir, with great truth, Your obliged servant, DANIEL PRINCE." Oxford, Nov. 5, 1790. "DEAR SIR, In turning over some preserved papers during my long life in this place, in order to save others trouble, which you will say it is full time I did, I have put my hands on the two sent herewith, which I think you may chance to think worth ordering to be laid on the table, according to the phrase of the House of Commons. The Prospectus of the History of the Mallardians, I think, was the first essay of Mr. Rowe-Mores. In it he meant to be very severe on the society of All Souls, from whom Mores had received some unkind treatment, and in particular from Dr. Buckler. Bradgate Hall is the Three Tun Tavern opposite All Souls, where the Society much resorted at that time (1752). This is the meaning of will you go over ? i. e. to the Three Tun Tavern. "The account of the Knollys Family was drawn up by Sir Francis Knollys, Baronet, himself; who was very attentive to his family honours. I think he was created April 1754, but have not a book of authority by me. This was the only honour of this elder |