Military Society.

Language, French. Object, tactics, fortification,

gunnery, &c.

Theological Society.

Language, Latin. Object, divinity, ecclesiastical history, ethics, &c.

Juridical Society.

Language, Latin. Object, every thing that relates to legislation, and the effects of civil institutions on mankind.

·Philosophical Society.

Language, Latin. Object, mathematics, natural philosophy, astronomy, &c. as treated a branch of mathematics.

Rhetorical Society.

Language, English. Object, whatever tends to add to the elegance, perspicuity, or energy of the English language.

In the distribution of these, or other societies that might be afterwards found necefsary to establifh, it is not proposed that the objects of their pursuit fhould be so distinct as that the same subject could, on no account, be treated in different societies for, as a student pofsefsing a particular turn of mind, might wish to improve himself in a language different from that of the society which was appropriated to the discussion of that particular subject with which he was best acquainted, it might be agreeable for him to be indulged with a reasonable liberty in this respect; so that the li

mits of each society, with respect to the objects of discussion fhould by no means be accurately defined, or rigidly adhered to.

Neither is it proposed that the languages above enumerated, and these alone, fhould be taught at this gymnasium. If our connection with any other nation fhould ever become such as to make the attainment of this language be desirable by many of the natives of this country, a school for that lan guage, upon the same general plan as the rest, might be then established, so as to make the supply in this respect always keep pace with our wants.

It is unnecefsary to extend our remarks farther at present, with regard to that branch of this seminary of education which relates to languages, as the advantages of this plan, above all others which have been hitherto pursued in this island, are sufficiently obvious. I now proceed to give some idea of that part of this institution which relates to science and

arts.

To be continued.

SKETCHES OF THE LIFE OF MR GEORGE EDWARDS, F. R. S. AND AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF BIRDS, AND GLEANINGS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

GEORGE EDWARDS was born on the 3d of April 1694 at Stratford, a small hamlet in Efsex. He passed his younger days under the care of a clergyman. After quitting him he was placed with another minister of the established church at Brentwood, and being designed by his parents for busi

nefs, was put an apprentice to a tradesman în Fen church Street; he was treated by him with great kindness and civility. About the middle of his apprenticeship, Dr Nicholas, a person of eminence in the literary world, and relation of his master's, happening to die, his books, which were very numerous, were removed to his master's, where our young naturalist passed all his leisure time in the day, and often most of the night, in examining this collection of natural history, sculpture, painting, and antiquities. Charmed by the examination of this collection, all the ideas he had formerly entertained of riches and opulence vanished, and he determined to travel into foreign countries to improve his taste and enlarge his mind.

In 1716 he went to Holland, and visited the principal towns of the United States, remaining absent a month. On his return he was two years employed in London and its neighbourhood, and then went to Norway, at the invitation of a gentleman who was disposed to be his friend.

Nothing remarkable occurred in the voyage; and they soon arrived at the designed port. A country diversified with rocks of stupendous magnitude, and trees of unfading verdure, where some of the natives have scarcely experienced the arts of civilization, could not fail to afford novelty, if it did not impart satisfaction to him; the sun during his stay dipped only to rise again, and few hours were allotted to sleep either by him, or his company; sometimes he wandered on the banks of the creeks, the haunt of sea fowl, and other rude birds, where no articulate

voice was heard, and at other seasons remarked the progrefs of vegetation among the hills. He frequently experienced amongst those illiterate people, that hospitality which flourishes lefs vigorously in more civilized countries. In his excursion to Frederickstadt, he was not distant from the thunder of Charles XII's. cannon who at that time besieged this place, where the laurels of that unfortunate monarch were stained by an ignominious defeat, and he was deprived of his life as well as his crown.

He was disappointed of visiting that country by this circumstance, as the Swedish army were very afsiduous in picking up all strangers.

In July he sailed for England; but the ship on his arrival at Scilly was detained by contrary winds. On his arrival in London, he retired to his native. place, where he spent the winter. But being desirous of visiting France, went by way of Dieppe to Paris, in 1719, and having seen its curiosities, took a lodging in a village called Greencourt, in the great park of Versailles, but to his mortification the menagerie at that time had not a living creature in it.

. During his stay in France he made two journeys, one to Chalons in Champagne, in May 1720, the second on foot to Orleans and Blois, in disguise, with a view of escaping from robbers who infested those places.

On his arrival in Britain he closely pursued his favourite study, natural history, applying himself to drawing and colouring such animals as fell under his notice ; -a strict attention to nature, more than picturesque beauty, claimed his attention. Birds

first claimed his particular attention; and having purchased some of the best pictures of these subjects, he was induced to make a few drawings of his own, which were admired by the curious; who engaged him to proceed, by paying him a good price for them.

Amongst his first benefactors was James Theobalds, Esq. of Lambeth, a gentleman zealous for the advancement of science. He, thus unexpectedly encouraged, increased in fkill and afsiduity; and by these means obtained a decent subsistence. Tr 173! he made an excursion to Holland and Brabant, with two of his relations, where he collected seve ral scarce books and prints, and had an opportunity of examining the original pictures of several great masters.

In December 1733, he by the recommendation of Sir Hans Sloane, president of the College of Physicians, (well known for his extensive knowledge of natural history,) was chosen librarian, and had apartments in the college. This office was particularly agreeable to his inclination, as he had there access to a large and very valuable collection of books in natural history, which he so afsiduously studied, as that by degrees he became one of the greatest ornithologists this or any other country ever produced. As his works are already so well known, it would be needlefs for me to pronounce any eulogium on the beauty or justnefs of his colouring, or the accuracy of his outlines; but it may be observed, that he never trusted to others what he could do himself; and often found it so difficult to