enriched by a few of his own notes *; and, what may be more curious to those who have had the mortification of decyphering my miserably bad hand-writing, the margin contains every addition and variation made afterwards by Mr. Wood, fairly transcribed, jubente Bowyero, "manu pueri mei Johannis Nichols."-Mr. Wood did not live to lay the Work himself before the publick. * One of these is worth inserting here: "Homer," says Mr. Wood, "has been highly extolled for his knowledge of Medicine and Anatomy, particularly the latter; and his insight into the structure of the human body has been considered so nice, that he has been imagined by some to have wounded his hearers with too much science." On this passage Mr. Bowyer's note stands thus: "Mr. Pope, as he read over every book he could think of that could give him any light into the life of Homer, had gotten an old Latin Edition of Diodorus Siculus, wherein he found Homer was said to be medicus. At which he was overjoyed, and thought he should communicate a great discovery. But, behold, when he consulted another edition, he found the true reading was mendicus. This I had from his own mouth, at Twickenham." †This elegant Scholar had long before established his reputation as an Author, by "The Ruins of Balbec, otherwise Heliopolis, in Colosyria," a superb volume in folio, which he published in 1757; on which it was well observed, that, "Of all the Antiquities that have been communicated to the world; of all the remains of antient monuments brought from the East, none can be compared with the ruins of Palmyra and of Balbec; not only on account of their stupendous magnificence, but for the extraordinary diligence of those gentlemen who have favoured the publick with this view of them, and the accuracy, and elegance of the designs. We are authorized in saying thus much, by the unanimous consent of all the Literati in Europe. But it is with peculiar pleasure we observe such a work as this produced at a time when War seemed to have engrossed the attention of mankind. The drawn sword has not yet frightened the Muses from their seat: they have more dangerous enemies in the Chinese and Goths, than in the sons of Mars. Such specimens of Architecture as have already been communicated to the publick by the learned and ingenious Editor of the Ruins of Balbec, with others which are expected of Athens, &c. will, we hope, improve the taste of our countrymen, and expel the littleness and ugliness of the Chinese, and the barbarity of the Goths, that we may see no more useless and expensive trifles; no more dungeons instead of summer-houses." Monthly Review, vol. XVIII. p. 59. Whose improved thoughts were posthumously published in 1775, under the title of "An Essay on the original Genius and Writings "Fables for Grown Gentlemen for the Year 1770;" published anonymously by John Hall-Stevenson*, esq. This was a second Part of an ingenious, but whimsical, Work originally published in 1761. Writings of Homer: with a comparative View of the antient and present State of the Troade. Illustrated with Engravings. By the late Robert Wood, Esq. Author of the Descriptions of Palmyra and Balbec." The able Critick already quoted remarks, "It is well known, and Fontaine has made a pleasant use of the story, that Aschines took a journey to Troy, to read Homer on the scene of his immortal Iliad. The same enthusiasm led Mr. Wood and his companions, Messrs. Dawkins and Bouverie, to the banks of the Scamander; a pursuit which may possibly appear fantastic to those who never felt the powerful influences which the veneration of antient genius leaves upon select minds. That veneration is respectable always, because almost always favourable to the interest of letters. Every new votary may produce some illustration or discovery, which accidental advantages, or the ardour of investigation, or, possibly, a congeniality of soul, may strike out. Mr. Wood had many acquired advantages; he had, moreover, taste, sensibility, and enthusiasm. His reputation with respect to those kinds of erudition, so amply displayed in the ruins of Palmyra and of Balbec, as well as in the present Essay, will invite the attention of persons of that turn. His finer sentiments will render his memory dear to those whom Nature has favoured with the happiness of loving and enjoying the Muses." Monthly Review, vol. LIII. p. 369.—Mr. Wood died in 1771, and was buried at Putney in Surrey; where a very superb monument of white marble, in the West part of the new burial-ground, is thus inscribed: "To the beloved Memory of ROBERT WOOD, a man of supreme benevolence, who was born at the Castle of Riverstown, near Trim, in the county of Meath; and died Sept. 9, 1771, in the 55th year of his age: who died August 25, 1772, in his ninth year. now dedicates this melancholy and inadequate memorial The beautiful Edition of Balbec and Palmyra, illustrated by the classic Pen of Robert Wood, supplies a nobler and more lasting Monument, and will survive those august Remains.” Arms: Azure, a tree proper, torn up by the roots; impaling, Party per fess, Argent and Azure, a star of eight points; Crest, a demy savage, on his right shoulder a club. "This Gentleman was a native of the county of York, where he inherited a considerable paternal estate, of which Skelton Castle, near Gisborough, was the family seat. He was born in 1770. In this year Mr. Bowyer printed, "Miscellanea Sacra; or, a new Method of considering so much of the History, of the Apostles, as is contained in Scripture; in an Abstract of their History, an Abstract of that Abstract, and Four 1718, and died in March 1785. Where he was instructed with the first rudiments of learning we have no information; but it is well known that he completed his classical education at Jesus College, in the University of Cambridge. Here it has been generally supposed that the friendship commenced between him and Mr. Sterne, who was of the same College, which continued without interruption while they were both spared to enjoy it; though, as they were both educated in Yorkshire, it is not improbable that their acquaintance might have commenced at a more early period. Mr. Hall afterwards made the tour of Europe; and that he had made it with the best effect, was evident in his conversations upon the subjects connected with it. He was an excellent classic scholar, and perfectly acquainted with the belles lettres of Europe. He could engage in the grave discussions of criticism and literature with superior power, while he was qualified to enliven general society with the smile of Horace, the laughter of Cervantes, or he could sit in Fontaine's easy chair and unbosom his humour to his chosen friends When he resided in London, he lived as other men of the world do, whose philosophy partakes more of Epicurus than the Porch; and in the Country, when Skelton Castle was without company, and he was threatened with the spleen, to which he was occasionally liable, he had recourse to a very fine library and a playful Muse. That he was a man of a singular genius and a peculiar cast of thought, must be acknowledged by all who read his Works; that, while he caught the ridicule of life, he felt for its misfortunes, will be equally evident to those who read the page that contains the Epitaph on Zachary Moore. And nothing surely can be wanting to confirm the latter opinion, when we have added, that he was the Eugenius of Mr. Sterne."-His Writings were collected, in three volumes octavo, under the title of "The Works of John Hall-Stevenson, Esq. containing, Crazy Tales, Fables for Grown Gentlemen, Lyric Epistles, Pastoral Cordial. Pastoral Puke, Macarony Fables, Lyric Consolations, Moral Tales, Monkish Epitaphs, &c. &c. &c. corrected and enlarged. With several original Poems, now first printed, and explanatory Notes, 1795;" in the Preface to which we are told, that "The Works of the Author of 'Crazy Tales' are too well known, and have been too long before the Publick, to need any recommendation. They have passed the Fiery Ordeal of Exami nation; and, whatever opinion may have been formed of them, whether arising from prejudice, from judgment, from friendship, or "Fables for Grown Gentlemen for the Year 1770;" published anonymously by John Hall-Stevenson *, esq. This was a second Part of an ingenious, but whimsical, Work originally published in 1761. Writings of Homer: with a comparative View of the antient and present State of the Troade. Illustrated with Engravings. By the late Robert Wood, Esq. Author of the Descriptions of Palmyra and Balbec." The able Critick already quoted remarks, "It is well known, and Fontaine has made a pleasant use of the story, that Æschines took a journey to Troy, to read Homer on the scene of his immortal Iliad. The same enthusiasm led Mr. Wood and his companions, Messrs. Dawkins and Bouverie, to the banks of the Scamander; a pursuit which may possibly appear fantastic to those who never felt the powerful influences which the veneration of antient genius leaves upon select minds. That veneration is respectable always, because almost always favourable to the interest of letters. Every new votary may produce some illustration or discovery, which accidental advantages, or the ardour of investigation, or, possibly, a congeniality of soul, may strike out. Mr. Wood had many acquired advantages; he had, moreover, taste, sensibility, and enthusiasm. His reputation with respect to those kinds of erudition, so amply displayed in the ruins of Palmyra and of Balbec, as well as in the present Essay, will invite the attention of persons of that turn. His finer sentiments will render his memory dear to those whom Nature has favoured with the happiness of loving and enjoying the Muses." Monthly Review, vol. LIII. p. 369. Mr. Wood died in 1771, and was buried at Putney in Surrey; where a very superb monument of white marble, in the West part of the new burial-ground, is thus inscribed: "To the beloved Memory of ROBERT WOOD, a man of supreme benevolence, who was born at the Castle of Riverstown, near Trim, in the county of Meath; and died Sept. 9, 1771, in the 55th year of his age: who died August 25, 1772, in bis ninth year. now dedicates this melancholy and inadequate memorial The beautiful Edition of Balbec and Palmyra, illustrated by the classic Pen of Robert Wood, supplies a nobler and more lasting Monument, and will survive those august Remains." Arms: Azure, a tree proper, torn up by the roots; impaling, Party per fess, Argent and Azure, a star of eight points; Crest, a demy savage, on his right shoulder a club. "This Gentleman was a native of the county of York, where he inherited a considerable paternal estate, of which Skelton Castle, near Gisborough, was the family seat. He was born in 1770. In this year Mr. Bowyer printed, "Miscellanea Sacra; or, a new Method of considering so much of the History of the Apostles, as is contained in Scripture; in an Abstract of their History, an Abstract of that Abstract, and Four 1 1718, and died in March 1785. Where he was instructed with the first rudiments of learning we have no information; but it is well known that he completed his classical education at Jesus College, in the University of Cambridge. Here it has been generally supposed that the friendship commenced between him and Mr. Sterne, who was of the same College, which continued without interruption while they were both spared to enjoy it; though, as they were both educated in Yorkshire, it is not improbable that their acquaintance might have commenced at a more early period. Mr. Hall afterwards made the tour of Europe; and that he had made it with the best effect, was evident in his conversations upon the subjects connected with it, He was an excellent classic scholar, and perfectly acquainted with the belles lettres of Europe. He could engage in the grave discussions of criticism and literature with superior power, while he was qualified to enliven general society with the smile of Horace, the laughter of Cervantes, or he could sit in Fontaine's easy chair and unbosom his humour to his chosen friends When he resided in London, he lived as other men of the world do, whose philosophy partakes more of Epicurus than the Porch; and in the Country, when Skelton Castle was without company, and he was threatened with the spleen, to which he was occasionally liable, he had recourse to a very fine library and a playful Muse. That he was a man of a singular genius and a peculiar cast of thought, must be acknowledged by all who read his Works; that, while he caught the ridicule of life, he felt for its misfortunes, will be equally evident to those who read the page that contains the Epitaph on Zachary Moore. And nothing surely can be wanting to confirm the latter opinion, when we have added, that he was the Eugenius of Mr. Sterne."-His Writings were collected, in three volumes octavo, under the title of "The Works of John Hall-Stevenson, Esq. containing, Crazy Tales, Fables for Grown Gentlemen, Lyric Epistles, Pastoral Cordial, Pastoral Puke, Macarony Fables, Lyric Consolations, Moral Tales, Monkish Epitaphs, &c. &c. &c. corrected and enlarged. With several original Poems, now first printed, and explanatory Notes, 1795;" in the Preface to which we are told, that "The Works of the Author of Crazy Tales' are too well known, and have been too long before the Publiek, to need any recommendation. They have passed the Fiery Ordeal of Exami nation; and, whatever opinion may have been formed of them, whether arising from prejudice, from judgment, from friendship, or |