the emotions attending the recollections of childhood, or the return to a favourite residence after long years of absence have intervened. The sight of once-loved objects, and the assemblage of ideas which they were wont to inspire; the resuming, perchance, of favourite trains of thoughts, of employment, or of recreation, especially when accompanied with an assurance that these will now take the place of others, perhaps not so congenial to the disposition-with many other nameless sympathies, which nevertheless operate with instantaneous force upon the senses, all join in imparting to the individual a train of enviable feelings. The mind, capacitated by extensive and diligent application, and by habit, to revert at those seasons of leisure and of vacancy to scenes of History widely remote from its own times, and expatiate amidst more than imaginary events, may be thought sometimes to experience emotions of almost a similar description. If, then, it be said generally of a large class in society (for we we spe speak not here of those whose faculties, or whose imagination is rendered dormant to these intellectual perceptions, through the predominating influence of some sordid end or aim) that frequent habits of soliloquy upon past events, or transactions drawn in substance from History, but amplified and adorned by the fancy, or expanded and applied by the understanding, will be the source of exhilarating pleasures, and often of much profit: it may be thought that they present more opportunities of improvement, both moral and mental, than the fond review of pleasurable associations connected with earlier life. Such intellectual indulgences (however calculated at times to inspire pleasing emotions) do not, perhaps, in the aggregate, enlarge the sphere of our knowledge, or make us materially wiser. They may only be said to multiply agreeable sources of association; whereas the same retrospects employed upon subjects of History, "whose ample page, rich with the spoils of time," teems with delineations which can modulate the heart, and humanize the affections, possess this advantage, that while it absorbs and wraps the faculties in intensity of meditation, it often occurs that such trains of thought mentally elicit some new The varying and eventful course of the history of civilized nmankind may in some respects, by more than a chimerical resemblance, be paralleled with the history of an individual whose chequered life has been the scene of many and important changes; with this difference, that in the first, the actors, with all the passions, follies, virtues, and contingencies incident upon human nature, are many; in the last, they are but one. By no unfair inference, therefore, the contemplation of the growth, progress, or causes of decay, and the circumstances by which they are accelerated or retarded, with the bright and signal virtues of emi nent individuals who are instrumental in and successively mark the progress of national increase, informs, while it delights:-at the same time that an equal proportion of mental satisfaction is involved, a greater end is attained than can possibly exist in the mere tracing in the eye of memory the events of our youth, or certain associated scenes which are capable of producing in the mind illusions of pleasure. Often," says the philosopher Plotinus, " when by an intellectual energy, I am roused from body and converted to myself, and being separated from externals, retire into the depths of my essence, I then perceive an admirable beauty, and aru vehemently confident that I am of a more excellent condition than that of a life merely animal and terrene." Plotinus, in common with numerous other Sages who had marked the susceptibilities of which the human mind is capable when properly disciplined, is disposed to rank very highly among the circle of our delights, the enjoyments of abstract contemplation.It may further be observed, that the most enlightened Writers upon moral subjects (although sufficient intervals of relaxation are likewise of use) have enforced the advantages of what may be not improperly termed mental occupancy. 66 Whatever therefore of validity or of force may be thought actually to attach to the observations here premised, or the rules here recommended; they aim at an object by no means small, or unworthy of accomplishment; the endeavour to increase in society those pre-disposing habits whose tendency 4 tendency is manifestly to promote an increase of rational knowledge, and to correct the aberration of folly, and the tedium of vacuity. THE Mr. URBAN, Tilmanstone, March 10. HE arrival of your Magazine never fails to bring to the mind a fresh supply of rational pleasure and literary amusement. Among the various flowers of your monthly Nosegay, that of a " Compendium of County History" is calculated to afHistory ford particular gratification. Now, as it has ever been a distinguished mark of "The Gentleman's Magazine" that its pages are open to correction; and as you have often candidly solicited your Correspondents to rectify such errors as they may detect; I would, with your permission, in justice to the memory of a worthy and ingenious man now no more, direct your attention to the following. At page 107, in the "Compendium of the History of Buckinghamshire," it is stated, that "Charles Boyle Earl of Orrery" was "the inventor of the astronomical machine named after his title;" and I know there are many persons who believe such to be the fact. I mean not to cast invidious reflections upon any; but, alas! Mr. Urban, how often does the humble, ingenious, and meritorious individual cultivate with tender solicitude those fruits which are afterwards fated to be gathered and laid up in the garner of his rich and more fortunate contemporary! However, the name of George Graham, F. R. S. an eminent astronomer, and the most celebrated watchmaker and mechanic of his time, born of humble parents, in the obscure village of Gratwick, in the North of Cumberland, in the year 1675, is not doomed to be forgotten. Genius has no settled residence; she does not hide herself from the rich, nor is she ashamed of the poor; but, like the wind, "bloweth whithersoever. it listeth;" and some of her proudest gems have sparkled in the midst of the most lowly soils. George Graham was one of her favourite children, and he deserved to be so; it is to him, Mr. Urban, that we owe, in reality, the invention of that useful and admired machine called an "Orrery." As the history of this invention is curious, and deserves to be better known, I shall endeavour to give it you, in as few words as possible. It was soon after the conclusion of the Peace of Utrecht, that Prince Eugene paid a visit to this country. Among the objects of his voyage, that of making a selection of philosophical instruments seems to have been one of the foremost. Soon after his arrival he was introduced to Mr. Graham, as all scientific Foreigners were: the Prince was so much struck with a Planetarium (the first upon record) which had been constructed by Mr. Graham, that he strongly solicited him to part with it. The great Artist reluctantly yielded consent to the Philosophical Hero; and the machine was sent, by the Prince's directions, to a Mr. Rowley, of whom a purchase of other instruments had been made, for the purpose of being conveyed to Vienna. No sooner was Mr. Rowley in possession of this admirable instrument, than his curiosity tempted him to take it to pieces; but, having satisfied himself, he had the mortification to find he could not put it together again without having recourse to Mr. Graham, who was too indifferent to his own interest and reputation to refuse to comply with the request. From this circumstance, Mr. Rowley was enabled to copy the various parts of the machine; and not long after, with the addition of some simple movements, constructed] his first Planetarium for Chas. Earl of Orrery. Sir Richard Steele, thinking to do hovour to the Nobleman who had encouraged, as well as the supposed inventor of this curious instrument, and being ignorant of the circumstances abovementioned, called it an Orrery, and gave the praise of originality to Mr. Rowley. Since this period Mr. Rowley's name has been forgotten also in this business; and the invention has been attributed to the Earl of Orrery, while honest George Graham has been deprived of his wellearned honours. I have no doubt, Mr. Urban, you will willingly spare a corner for the purpose of helping him to the merit of an invention, solely his own. Mr. Graham communicated many ingenious and important discoveries to the Royal Society, and died in Fleet-street, in November 1751. His remains were interred in the middle aile of Westminster-abbey. Yours, &c. W. WEEKES. COM COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY. MIDDLESEX. Though to those streams he no resemblance hold, Search not his bottom, but survey his shore.-DENHAM on the Thames. SITUATION AND EXTENT. Boundaries. North, Hertford; East, Essex, South, Surrey; West, Buck ingham. Greatest length 23; greatest breadth 17; circumference 115; square 280 miles. Province, Canterbury. Diocese, London. ANTIENT STATE AND REMAINS. British Inhabitants. Trinobantes, the first tribe that submitted to the Romans. Roman Province. Flavia Cæsariensis. -Station. Sulloniacæ, Brockley Hill. Saxon Heptarchy.. Essex. Antiquities. HAMPTON COURT, hall 106 feet by 40, roof beautifully carved : chapel; three quadrangles, first 167 feet 2 inches by 141.7; second 133.6 by 91.10; third 110.7 by 117.3.-Drayton, Harrow, Hayes, and Hendou Fonts. Harlington Church South-door. Stratford Bow Bridge, built by Matilda, Queen of Henry I. Bromley St. Leonard's Priory Church, in which was buried Elizabeth, sister of Philippa, the excellent Queen of Edward III. Harefield Priory. At Sheperton it is supposed that Cæsar crossed the Thames in pursuit of Cassivelaunus, and that Coway stakes were placed there to prevent his passage. A rude canoe, cut out of a solid block of oak, was discovered here in 1812. Sion was the only Convent of Bridgetine nuns in this kingdom: they were originally placed in Twickenham parish by Henry V. in 1414; removed to the site of the present mansion in Isleworth parish in 1432. PRESENT STATE AND APPEARANCE. Rivers. THAMES, Colne, Lea, Brent, Crane, Serpentine river or canal in Hyde Park, Exe or Echel, Mose or Mosell. The patriotic Sir Hugh Middleton began to bring the New River to Islington, at his own expence, Feb. 20, 1608, and the water was let into the basin there, called the New River Head, Sept. 29, 1613; whence it is conveyed by sluices into cisterns, and thence by innumerable pipes over the Metropolis. Inland Navigation. Grand Junction, Paddington, Regent's, Isle of Dogs Canals. Thames River. Eminences and Views. Hanger-hill-tower 251 feet; King's Arbour 182 feet; Brockley, Dollis, Hampstead, Harrow, Highgate, Highwood, Mill, Muswell, Winchmore Hills, Harrow Weald, Belmont in Stanmore grounds. Natural Curiosities. Enfield Chase, now chiefly inclosed, but retaining its name, contained (in 1777) 8,349 A. 1 R. 30 P. Finchley Common, recently inclosed, was 1010 acres. Hounslow Heath, where many armies have been encamped, but great part of which is inclosed, measured in 1546, 4293 acres. Hyde Park is 394 A. 2 R. 38 P. Wormholt Scrubs 140 acres. Hampstead Heath. Acton, Bagnigge, Hampstead (first recommended by Dr. Gibbons, the Mirmillo" of Garth's "Dispensary") Hoxton, Islington, Kilbourn, Pancras, and St. Chads, or Shadwell medicinal waters.-Near Old Brentford, in digging clay for bricks, were discovered bones of elephants, hippopotami, deer, and oxen, with shells of oysters, and nautili and other marine exuviæ. -The first Mulberry trees planted in this kingdom are now standing in the grounds of Sion-house. The Cedar of Libanus was first planted at Fulham in 1683: there was one at Hendon-place, blown down Jau. 1, 1779, height 70 ft.; circumference, at 7 fl. from the ground, 16 ft.; diameter of the horizontal extent of its branches 100 feet. Another of nearly equal dimensions was cut down at Hillingdon in 1789: there is a very large one now growing at Enfield : GENT. MAG. June, 1818. Enfield Manor-house, and two in Apothecaries garden, Chelsea. The tamarisk was first planted in Fulham-palace garden, where it was introduced by Bp. Grindall in 1560, as were many new plants from North America by Bp. Compton. The first Piwe and Chinese strawberries, and the first auricula, were cultivated at South-field-farm by Mr. Rench, whose son first introduced the moss-rose at the same place. The first weepingwillow was planted at Twickenham early in the 18th century. At Hampton Court the great vine of the Black Hamburgh kind has been known to produce in one year, 2,200 bunches of grapes, weighing on an average 1lb. each. Public Edifices. Acton Conduit, constructed 1612; Goldsmiths' Alms-houses finished 1811. At Bayswater, Queen's-Lying-in-hospital removed here, 1791. Bromley St. Leonard's Alms-houses. Camden-town, Veterinary College instituted 1791, professor Mr. Edward Coleman.-CHELSEA COLLEGE for wounded and superannuated soldiers; first stone laid by Charles II. March 12, 1682; finished 1690; architect, Sir Christopher Wren length of principal building 790 feet; whole space occupied, 50 acres; cost 150,000l.; In-pensioners 476. College Infirmary, architect, Soane. York Hospital. Royal Military Asylum for soldiers' children; 700 boys, 300 girls; first stone laid by the Duke of York, June 19, 1801; architect, Sanders. Bridge, one furlong long, 23 feet wide, built of wood, 1772, cost 20,000l. In Apothecaries garden, statue of Sir Hans Sloane by Rysbrack.-Fulham Bridge, built of wood, from plan of the surgeon Cheselden; length 789 feet, width 24; cost 23,0751. Hampton Courtbridge, of wood, 11 arches, opened Dec. 13, 1753. Harrow School, founded by John Lyon, yeoman, and the rules made by him, 1590; 358 students, the greatest number, in 1804. Highgate Archway, 36 feet high, 18 wide, erected in consequence of an intended tunnel under the hill, which had proceeded 130 yards, having fallen in, April 12, 1812. Homerton, Widow's Retreat, founded 1812. At Hoxton, Aske's Hospital, 400 feet long, piazza 340 feet, erected 1692. At Islington, Lady Owen's Almshouses and School, founded 1610. Quaker's Work-house and School. Sadler's Wells, so called from one Sadler, who discovered the Spa in 1683; present theatre erected, 1765. White Conduit-house, Hornsey Wood, Highbury, Canonbury, and Belvidere Tea-garden. Kensington Schools. At Knightsbridge, St. George's Hospital, opened 1734, and Lock Hospital, 1746. Littleton, stone bridge, 7 arches; built 1785; cost 13,000l.; architect, Payne. At Mile End, Newy Tozedik, or German Jews Hospital, established 1806; Hospital of Portugueze Jews; Trinity, Bancroft's, Fuller's, Vintners', and Skinners' Almshouses. In Pancras, London Female Penitentiary; Foundling Hospital, instituted 1739, through the exertions of Capt. Thomas. Coram, who was buried in its vaults, 1751; first stone of the present building laid, 1742; among its paintings is Hogarth's famous March to Finchley. Welsh Charity School, established 1718, by the Society of Antient Britons, instituted on St. David's-day (March 1) 1714. Small Pox Hospital, the first in Europe, established 1745; the present building, now chiefly devoted to vaccination, erected 1794. "Tabernacle," Meeting-house of Calvinistic Methodists, founded by George Whitefield, 1756; in it is a monument of his wife, buried there 1768; a cenotaph of himself, who died in America, 1770; and a monument of Augustus Montague Toplady, Calvinistic divine, 1778. Poplar and Blackwall West India Warehouses and Docks, first stone laid by Mr. Pitt and others, July 12, 1800; finished 1802. Import Dock 30 acres; Export Dock 24 : entrance basin 6; whole premises 204. Cost 1,200,000l. East India Company's Docks for Imports, 18t acres; for Exports, 94; entrance basin, 24. Dock and Warehouses of Wigram's and Green (late Mr. Perry's), the most considerable private dock in Europe, 19 acres. Trinity Buoy Wharf. East India Company and Mercers' Alms-houses. In Somers Town, Hospital for French Clergy, instituted by Abbé Carron, opened 1810. Staines iron bridge, supported by wooden piles (two bridges having fallen there since 1797) completed 1807. Tottenham Cross Schools Schools and Alms-houses, one of the latter founded in 1600 by Baltaser Sanchez, a Spaniard, said to have been the first person in this kingdom who exercised the trade of a confectioner, or "comfit-maker." Uxbridge Market-house, erected 1789. Seats. Duke of Portland, Lord Lieutenant of the County. Acton, S. Wegg, esq. - Bank-house, Mrs. Payne. Arno's-grove, John Walker, esq. Barnet, Friern, late John Bacon, esq. Barrow-point-hill, G. Spranger, esq. Becch-hill, Archibald Paris, esq. Belsize-house, William Everitt, esq. BENTLEY-PRIORY, Marq.of Abercorn. Berry-inead-priory, E. F. Ackers, esq. Boston-house, Colonel Clitheroe. Branch-hill-lodge, Sir Tho. Neave, bt. Brandenburgh-house, Margravine of Anspach. Brandesbury-house, Rev. L. Burroughs Bushy-park, Duke of Clarence. Joseph Brown, esq. CHISWICK-HOUSE, DukeofDevonshire. ---, Thomas Lermitte, esq. Copt-hall, Thomas Nicoll, esq. Corney-house, Countess Dowager Ma Eastcot, George Woodroffe, esq. Edgware-house, Thomas Smith, esq. Edmonton-rectory, Rich. Gardener, cartney. Cowley-grove, Edward Hilliard, esq. Cranford-lodge, Countess of Berkeley. Craven-cottage, Richard Wilson, esq. Culland's-grove, Sir Wm. Curtis, bart. park, Thomas Willan, esq. Hanworth, Duke of St. Alban's. J. R. Cuthbert, esq. Harefield, R. G. Spedding, esq. Drayton, Mrs. De Burgh. Duncroft, Lord Cranstoun. lodge, C. N. Newdigate, esq. park, General Cooke. Durham-park, John Trotter, esq. place, Sir Christ. Baynes, bt. Ealing-green, General Cameron. Harrow, Lord Northwick. grove, Charles Wyatt, esq. house, lately Eart of Galloway. park, Mrs. Fisher. - Rev. J. W. Cunningham. rectory, Mrs. Edwards. - Weald, Nicholas Smith, esq. parsonage, Rev. Colston Carr. Hayes, R. W. Blencowe, esq. (Little) General Dumourier. Major Morrison. Earl's-court, Nathaniel Gosling, esq. Eastcot, Ralph Deane, esq. park, late Hon. Mr. Justice Heath. Hendon-place, John Carbonel, esq. Highbury-house, -- Felton, esq. |