Alexandrines, and for which they and after some hesitation deter have substituted others, more mined to remove thither. Before nearly approaching the standard he left Halle, he married Juliana. of Greek authors. On the other Friderica, daughter of Godfrey hand, the Alexandrine is free Schüz, the sister of one of his from those arbitrary corrections, colleagues, both at Halle and intended to remove difficulties in Jena. In the beginning of 1777, the interpretation or contradic- he took the degree of doctor of tions in the narrative, which we divinity at Jena. His academical find in the Western. The testi- prelections treated chiefly of eçof the former, therefore,' is clesiastical history, and the exposuspicious, when given in favour sition of the New Testament, toof the more elegant reading-that gether with those branches of of the latter, in favour of a read- knowledge which are immediately ing which promises to relieve us connected with it. Thinking that from an embarrassment". he perceived too much of the

pular doctrinal theology, and with this view drew up a brief manual, which was at first confined in its circulation to his own pupils, but was afterwards given to the public in an improved form.

This is an imperfect sketch of scholastic air in the doctrinal lec, the system of criticism which is tures of his colleagues, and too now adopted by the most distin- little regard to the separation of guished masters of the science. that which is interesting to every Our theological readers will do reflecting Christian, from that well to seek a more ample and which belongs solely to the literary satisfactory statement of it in the furniture of a teacher, he detervarious works of Griesbach. The mined to read prelections on poperusal of them will convince those who look on criticism with fear and suspicion, that it proceeds by rule-that its rules are logical deductions from facts prov. ed or reasonably presumed-and that nothing is rejected from the We are told, that from the year text without much better ground 1780 his time was very much octhan that on which it first acquir- cupied with the various academi ed its character for genuineness. cal functions which he was called Those who despise the science as on to discharge, and some of trivial, and its professors as drudges which he retained, from peculiar and plodders, will find, that, far circumstances, longer than the from resting in minute researches ordinary period. The detail of and toilsome collations, it calls them would not interest our readers the great faculties of the human mind into varied and extensive exercise.

In the year 1765, our author was invited to become professor in ordinary of theology at Jena,

we mention the fact in reference to the tardiness with which some of his works have made their ap pearance.

His edition of the Greek Testa. ment had found its way into Eng

Griesbach observes, that the author of these corrections in the Western edition seems to have anticipated, and endeavoured to obviate, objections to the history of the resurrection which have been started by modern unbelievers only.

land, and had fallen into the edition are greatly expanded, and hands of the Duke of Grafton, contain, besides a catalogue of who, judging that the cause of manuscripts, and a key to the rational religion would be benefit- abbreviations and marks, a stateed by a more extensive circula- ment and defence of his method tion of it than was then practica- of settling the reading, which nable, applied to Griesbach for turally includes a history of the permission to print an edition of text and an explanation of his it in England. To this the pro- theory of criticism. The new fessor replied, that he had no eh edition is indeed so superior to jection to its being reprinted-but the old as entirely to supersede at the same time informed the the use of it, except as a matter Duke, that he was about to pub- of curiosity. lish a new edition of it, with great It was not until the year 1807, improvements, and submitted to when the possessors of the first him, that to enlarge the number volume almost despaired of the of copies of this edition, would be completion of the work, that the better than to reprint the old. second volume reached England. The Duke acceded to this sug- The delay was occasioned by a gestion, and, when the first vo- combination of unfavourable cir lume of the second edition was printed in 1796, 500 copies were struck off on paper transmitted from England, and were sold here, by his Grace's direction, at a reduced price.

cumstances, which need not be enumerated, as an account of them may be found in the review depart ment of this work for March last, (M. Repos. vol. ii. p. 151.) Art. Nov. Test. Grace. Griesbach, v. 2. ed. 2. We believe that he has been succeeded in the professorship of theology by Paulus, who has since removed to Würzburg; but we are not informed at what time our author's resignation took place, nor whether he still holds any academical office. Though his age is only sixty-two, his health арpears to have suffered greatly from

The period of twenty years, which had intervened between the publication of the first edition and the first volume of the second, had been fruitful in works on the subject of sacred criticism. The science had been cultivated by learned men with far greater energy and effect than before; and new materials had been made pub. lic in the editions of Alter, Mat- various causes, and we can hardly thai, and Birch. Our author had been assiduous in obtaining, from every source, all that could enrich his collection of various readings or perfect his text. Fur ther observation had enabled him to decide on the true reading of Among the features of his chasome few passages which he had racter which his writings disclose, before left doubtful. His system there is none so deserving of now of diacritic marks is somewhat tice as the candour and impartial. simplified. The very brief proleg. ity with which he has conducted mena which preceded the first himself, in a situation where men

expect that he should labour much more in the field which has been so much improved by his exertions, and from which he has reaped an ample harvest of literary reputation.

Novum Test. &c. &c. vol. 2, 8vo. ib. 1775.

Progr. de historiæ ccclesiastica nostri seculi usibus sapienter ac. commodatæ utilitate, 8vo. Jena, 1776.

of equal or greater learning have varietatem adjecit, J. J. G. vol. I, forgotten the duties of critics. 8vo. Hala, 1777. Although himself, a friend and partizan of orthodox theology, he has never suffered his judgment to be biassed by such opinions in deciding on disputed passages, nor hesitated to avow the sentiments which he was compelled to entertain. On the contrary, the fairness of his proceedings is so manifest, that those who diffor most widely from him respecting the interpretation of Scripture, on subjects within his province, appeal to his authority, and only ask to have their tenets tried by the standard which he has framed.

The following list of his works is complete to the year 1790.

Diss. locos theol. ex Leone, M. Pont. Rom. Sistens. 4to. Hala, 1768.

Diss. de fide Historica ex ipsa rerum quæ narrantur, natura judicanda, 4to. ib. 1768.

Diss. de Codicibus iv. Evangeliorum Origenianis, 4to. ib. 1771.

Libri historici N. Test. Græce, Pars 1, Sistens Synopsin Evangeliorum Matthæi, Marci, & Lucæ, Svo. ib. 1774.

Synopsis Evang. Matth. Marci, & Lucæ, Svo. ib. 1776, is a separate work, not belonging to the

edition of the N. T.

Libri historici N. T. Græce. P. 2. Sistens Evang. Joanois & Acta Apost. Svo. ib. 1775.When the first three evangelists were afterwards printed in their natural order, instead of the Synopsis, John and the Acts were added to them, and the whole had the title,

Programmata, 1 & 2, de vera notione vocabuli, TVvua, in cap. 8. Ep. ad Rom. 4to. ib. 1776-7. Curæ in historiam textus græci epistolarum Paulinarum. Specimen 1, 4to. ib. 1777.

Commentatio in Eph. i. 19, & seq. 4to. ib. 1778.

Progr. de potentiore ecclesiæ Rom. principalitate ad locum Irenæi, lib. 3, cap. 3, 4to. ib. 1779.

Introduction to the Study of popular doctrinal Theology, in a learned Way. The second and following editions had this title, Introduction to the Study of popular doctrinal Theology, intended especially for future Teachers of Religion. It was translated into Danish, and published at Copen hagen in 1790.

Progr. ad loc. Pauli, 1 Cor. xii. 1-11, 4to, Jenæ, 1780.

Progr. de Mundo condito a Deo Patre per Filium, 4to. ib. 1781.

Progr. 1 & 2 de oyw meofytiny Seßziregy, 4to, ib. 1781-2.

Progr. de fontibus unde Evangelistæ suas de resurrectione Domini narrationcs hauserint, 4to, ib. 1783.

Progr. de Spiritu Dei quo abluti, sanctificati, & justificati, dicuntur Corinthii, 1 Cor. vi. 11, 4to, ib. 1783.

Progr. de nexu inter virtutem & religionem, 4to, ib. 1781. Symbole Critic ad supplendas

Novum Test. Græce.. Textum ad fidem Codicum, versionum & & corrigendas variarum N. T. patrum emendavit, & lectionis Collectiones. Accedit multorum

Progr. 1-5. Stricturæ in lo. cum de theopneustia librorum sacrorum. Jena, 1784-1788. Progr. 1 & 2. Marci Evangelium totum e Matthæi & Lucæ commentariis esse decerptum, ib. 1789-1790.

N. T. codicum Græc. descriptio hole Criticæ, Commentariolus & examen. Tom. 1. 8vo. Hala, Criticus, the first and second vo1785. lumes of the second edition of the New Testament, and a Programma on the History of the Ascension, referred to by Paulus in his Commentary. He has also pub lished the text and principal various readings of his New Testa ment, in a splendid work, adorned with engravings. The letters are in imitation of the running hand of the manuscripts, exhibiting a Of his works published since beautiful combination of calligrathis time, the writer knows only phy with typography. of the second volume of the Sym

Several papers in the Repertory of Biblical and Oriental Litera

ture.

MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

K.

A CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF MR. ROBERT WALKER, FORMERLY CURATE OF SEATHWAITE CHAPEL, IN LANCASHIRE; WITH SOME ORIGINAL ANECDOTES OF STERNE: COMMUNICATED BY MR. RUTT.

To the Editor of the Monthly Repository.

Whatley, Esq. which were pub lished in your first volume". I cannot ascertain whether the first of these letters was also addressed to Mr. Whatley, though it is endorsed in his hand-writing.

SIR, Clapton, Dec. 5, 1807. tory. They came into my hands It is well observed, in one of at the same time with the letters the Spectators attributed to Ad. from Dr. Franklin to George dison, that if the affairs of mankind are regarded by superior beings," they do not look for great men at the head of armies, or amidst the pomps of a court, but often find them out in shades and solitudes, in the private walks and by-paths of life." Your readers will be introduced to one of these angelical heroes, if I may be allowed the expression, by a perusal of the papers which I now wish to preserve in your Reposi

From Mr. Ford, relating to the Rev. Mr. Robert Walker, of Seathwaite chapel, in Lancashire.

SIR, Conistone, 26th July, 1754I was the other day upon a party of pleasure, about five or six miles from

These interesting letters, four in number, will be found in Vol. I. of the Monthly Repository, p. 136. 192. and 253. In Vol. I. p. 406, will also be found an" Original Letter of STERNE's," communicated likewise by Mr. Rutt, from Mr. Whatley's papers. EDITOR.

VOL. III.

Having lately observed in the papers an extract of a will of Anthony Brucer, Esq. wherein he leaves most part of his effects to clergymen not possessed of 401. per annum in spirituals and temporals, I think if any could be procured from it for the parson I have been here describ ing, I dare almost say, that it could not be bestowed upon a more deserving clergyman; and if yourself did but hear and see as much in regard to him as I have done, I am sure you would take the utmost pleasure in serving such a man. As you will have the first information whether any thing will be performed by the trustees for that charity, in pursuance of the will, and when, if you think there is any prospect of getting something for him, and will please to advise thereupon, I will take care to procure such credentials for him as may be requisite, and shail think the favour as done to, Sir, your's,

W. FORD.

this place, where I met with a very the admiration of all that know him. striking object, and of a nature not very His industry causes him to be loved by common. Going into a clergyman's his flock, his honesty to be trusted, his 'house, (of whom I had frequently heard, function to be respected by them, and but never had any personal acquaintance his genius to be admired by every one. with,) I found him sitting at the head of a long square table, such as are commonly used in this country by the lower class of people, dressed in a coarse blue frock, trimmed with black horn buttons, a checked shirt, a leather strap about his neck for a stock, a coarse apron, and a pair of great heavy wooden soled shoes, plated with iron to preserve them, (which we call clogs in these parts,) with a child upon his knee, getting his breakfast. His wife, and the remainder of his family, which consists of nine children, were some of them employed in waiting on each other; the rest in teazing and spinning of wool, at which trade the parson himself is accounted a proficient; and, moreover, when it is made ready for sale, will lug it, by 16 or 32 lb. weight at a time, upon his back, and on foot, seven or eight miles to market, even in the depth of winter. I was not so much surprised at all this as you may possibly be, having heard a good deal of it related before, but I must confess myself astonished at the alacrity and good humour that appeared both in the parson and his wife, and more so at the sense and ingenuity of the parson himself. My curiosity prompted me to make an inquiry into his benefice, with all his temporalities, of which he gave me, I really believe, a very true and just account, which is as follows. His fixed Upon my return hither I wrote to salary (which has of late years been Mr. Walker, of Seathwaite, the poor augmented by Queen Ann's Bounty clergyman you mentioned to me, desir dropping to it) is now betwixt ten and ing he would send me a particular aceleven pounds a year. About this time count of the value of his curacy, and he visits his neighbours, (who are very the number of his family; and from him fond of him,) who present him with a I have just received the enclosed answer. fleece or two of wool each, which gra. I also wrote to Mr. Cooperson, a clergytuities he tells me may amount, in the man who lives in the neighbourhood of whole, to the value of three pounds. Mr. W. to let me know Mr. W.'s cha The remainder of his income and all his racter, and how he behaved, &c. which temporalities consist in some smalt mat- he has done in the letter which I here ter of cash he had left him as a legacy, enclose. Mr. Cooperson is a person of. I believe; and, what is very surprising, great worth and integrity, and acts as of some which he had spared out of his one of our surrogates, and is therefore income, besides maintaining his family, well known to me, so that I can depend which is now placed out at interest, and upon the truth of his letter. You will, which interest, when added to his bene- I doubt not, from these papers, be of fices and the gratuities above-mentioned, opinion, that Mr. W. is not unworthy will not make the whole 201. per annum, the regard you have been pleased to It amazes me to think how he procures shew him, and that he deserves encou a maintenance for such a family out of ragement. If I can give you any farther so small a matter, and yet he does, to information in this affair, or can be any

Extract of a letter from' Mr. Collinson, of Lancaster, to the Rev. Mr. Broughton, of Bartlett's Buildings, [Ilolborn, London.]

Feb. 4, 1755.