Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

ably expect to live above 38 or 39 years longer; that, in like manner, at the age of 28 or 29, we have lived one half of our life, because we have but 28 years more to live; and, laftly, that before so, we have lived three fourths of our life, because we can hope but for 16 or 17 years more. But, fays he, these phyfical truths, however mortifying in themselves, may be alleviated by moral confiderations. For a man ought to confider the first 15 years of his life as nothing. All that happened to him, all that paffed in that long interval of time, is effaced out of his memory; or at least has fo little relation to the views and the affairs which after that time take up his thoughts, that it gives him no concern. It is no longer the fame fucceffion of ideas, or, we may fay, the fame life. We do not begin our moral life, until after we have begun to regulate our thoughts, to direct them to a certain future view, and to affume a fort of confiftency, a relation to what we ought to be afterwards. By confidering the dura tion of life in this light, which is the true one, we shall find from the table, that at the age of 25 we have lived but a fourth part of our life, that at the age of 38 we have lived but a half of it, and that we have not paffed three fourths of it until the 56th year of our age.

Thefe are the author's obfervations; to which I fhall add, with regard to infurances upon lives, that for infuring for 1 year the life of a child of 3 years old, we ought to pay but 2 per. cent.; for as it has by this table an equal chance for living 40 years, it is 40 to one that it does not die in a year. In the fame manner we ought to pay but 3 per cent. for infuring for 1 year the life of a lad of 19 or 20; but 4 per cent. for infuring for 1 year the life of a man of 35; and but 5 per cent. for infuring for 1 year the life of a man of 43; after which the infurance ought to rife above 5 per cent. in proportion to the advance of the perfon's age above 43; fo that a man of 77 ought to pay 25 per cent. and a man of 85, 33% per cent. for infuring his life for one year.

And from the fame table we may see, that those who infure lives at the rate of 51 per cent. per ann.; that is to say, who have 5 1. paid them yearly for every hundred pounds they engage to pay upon the death of any perfon: fuch infurers, I fay, we may fee, must be great gainers, even at the prefent low rate of intereft, if the perfons whofe lives are thus infured, be above 1, and under 51 years of age; because 5 1. per ann. at 3 1. per cent, compound intereft, fuppofing the money to be laid out at intereft half-yearly only, produces above 100 l. in 16 years; whereas it appears by this table, that all perfons above 1, and under 51 years of age, have an equal chance for living for above 16 years. Nay, as 5 1. per ann. at 3 1. per cent. compound intereft, produces above 2001. in 27 years, the infurers must be above cent. per cent. gainers upon the lives of all perfons above 1, and under 31 years of age.

Then with regard to the purchase or fale of annuities for life, we may from this table, and the tables of compound interest, easily see what a person of any age ought to pay for an annuity for life; because in this table we may fee what number of years a person of any age has an equal chance to live, and in the tables of compound intereft we may see what is the prefent value of an annuity for that number of years at the then common rate of intereft. Thus a perfon of 30 has by this table an equal chance to live 28 years, and by the tables of compound intereft we may fee, that the prefent value of 1 1. per ann. for 28 years, reckoning intereft at 3 1. per cent. is a little above 181. 15s. Therefore a person of that age ought to pay, at the prefent low rate of intereft, near 19 years purchase for an annuity for life. Whereas, if the common rate of intereft were still at 5 1. per cent. he ought not to pay 15 years purchase; and as there were always more fellers than buyers, the common price was generally under this rate. 1 am, &c.

full

MONTH

MONTHLY REVIEW, Odober 1757. H TOY OMHPOT IAIAE. Folio, 2 vols. Printed at Glasgow, [by Meff. Robert and Andrew Foulis, printers to the univerfity Price 11. 11 s. 6d. large pa per, and 11. 1 s. the fmall, in fheets. [The Edinburgh fociety's medal, for the best printed Greek book, was adjudged to Meff. Foulis for this book. Thefe gentlemen have gained all the prizes yet given by this fociety for book-printing. [50. xviii. 195.]

Tis with pleafure we obferve, that this most elegant edition of Homer's Iliad is infcribed to the Prince of Wales, by his Royal Highness's permiffion. We flatter ourselves, from the early teftimo. nies which this royal youth has given of his genius and judgment, that he will not only read Homer as a poet, but confider him as a politician: and though his juvenile ardor will no doubt lead him to admire the animated valour and heroic atchievements of Achilles, yet we hope that he will likewise find charms in the characters of Neftor and Ulyffes. This edition, published from the u. niverfity-prefs of Glasgow, is printed, as appears by the preface, at the expence of the profeffors of that univerfity, We are told, that it is only intended as a trial, and that the gentlemen propose to publifh all the Greek and Latin claffics with the fame elegance and accuracy: it is therefore to be wifhed, that this fpecimen may meet with fuch a favourable and generous reception, as may induce them to purfue their defign with fpirit; and that no lover of letters, whofe circumftances will allow him to encourage the merit he admires, will fail to adorn his library with this fplendid impreffion of the Iliad.

As to the matter, they profefs to have followed Dr Clarke's quarto edition, published in 1729; but as to the form and manner, to have imitated the mag nificent one of Henry Stephens. We need not, however, hefitate to declare, that in the beauty of the paper and the type, and in the correctnefs of the work, they have furpaffed all which have hitherto appeared.

The curious reader, by comparing this edition with Dr Clarke's, will find

a difference in the accenting: but we are of opinion, that in this particular the former has the preference, though Hederick and Patrick appear in justifi

cation of the learned Doctor's method.

In this Glasgow edition the words are all printed at full length. This likewise makes it preferable to the Doctor's, which abounding with abbreviations, appears more confused, and fooner tires the eye. The learned and indefatigable profeffors, Meff. Moor and Muirhead, have, in their preface, done juftice to the merit of Mr Alexander Wilson, the very ingenious letter-founder of North Britain. And from their account of their own extreme care and labour in correcting the proofs, which they affure us underwent no less than fix different revisals, and in comparing them with prior editions, we need not be surprised at that accuracy, for which the learned world is fo highly indebted to them.

If this impreffion had no other merit to recommend it than the improvement made in typography, that alone would be fufficient to intitle it to the patronage of the public; but we are forry to obferve, that the little encouragement given to the cultivation of arts and sciences, is not the least instance of the corruption and degeneracy of modern times.

If there was the smallest spark of national fpirit among us, the liberal arts would not be so destitute of patrons as to fly abroad for protection. They who have no tafte to relish them, would, if they loved their country, patronize them from political principles.

The higher perfection the arts attain in any country, the greater will be the demand for its particular productions. The nation that outrivals its neighbours, will become the mart of commerce: the ingenious and induftrious will procure a comfortable fubfiftence; the inhabitants will multiply; and the kingdom increase in riches, and, confequently, in power.

[blocks in formation]

The progrefs of the SISTER-ARTS.

An ODE. By Mr BOYCE.

Sung by Mr VERNON, at the entertainment given by the governors and guardians of the foundling-bofpital, to the artifts in Painting, Sculpture, &c. Nov. 5. according to annual cuftom.

Ν

IN penfive mood BRITANNIA fat,
Her fpeaking looks upbraided fate,

The skies fhe thus addrefs'd:

My fons, oh Jove! are brave and free,
To them all nations bend the knee,

With ev'ry virtue bless'd.

Here golden Commerce courts the strand,
Here temp'rate feasons chear the land,
The harvest is our own:

But Science here with languor darts;
The Arts, the heaven-directed Arts,
Are here, alas! unknown.

In climes where Freedom's put to flight,
Where Error clouds Religion's light,
There genius most has shin'd:
The deathless palms of merit grace
Italia's fons and Gallia's race,

The meaneft of mankind.
The pow'r fupreme attentive heard
The pray'r the plaintive queen preferr'd,
He gave th' affenting nod:
Again Corregio's genius liv'd,

The warmth of Claude Lorrain reviv'd,
And Titian's own'd the god.
Diffufe, he cry'd, o'er Britain's inle,
Let there the foul of Painting smile
Tranfcendent, all refin'd:
A noble portion Hayman caught,
Soon Picture started from his thought,
And Hift'ry won his mind.
The spirit glow'd in Hogarth's heart,
He rofe Cervantes of the art,

And boasts unrival'd praise:
Th' impulfive flame a Lambert warm'd;
With nature's rural beauties charm'd,
He wears eternal bays.

A Scott confefs'd th' infpiring ray;
The rolling bark, the wat'ry way,
Affert the master's hand:
And Reynolds felt the facred beam;
Lo, portrait more than picture seem,
It breathes at his command!

Fove gave to Mafon Shakespear's fire,
And then confign'd him Maro's lyre,
The mufes all rejoice:
And with Corelli's magic art,

With pow'rful found to charm the heart,
He tun'd the foul of Boyce.

Like Phoebus rifing in the east,
Expanding wide, from breast to breast,

The bright'ning rays difperfe:
See others take as glorious aim,
And mount, with vary'd taste, to fame,
For Painting, Mufic, Verfe.

The SISTER-ARTS from fuch great fource,
With Emulation's aiding force,
Their ancient worth regain;

[blocks in formation]

CHOR U S.

REjoice, ye Britons, hail the day!

And confecrate to Cafar's birth the lay.
DUETTE.

Cafar with ev'ry virtue crown'd,
And for the mildeft reign renown'd,
With power paternal finds the art
Of winning to his will the heart.
AIR.

So mild, fo fweet, is Cafar's fway,
So void of all annoy;
That when we best obey,

Then, then we most enjoy.
From this aufpicious harmony,
Our gracious Cafar's fway,
Makes grateful Britain gay,
And life itfelf a jubilee.

RECITATIVE.

So when Apollo fings,

Sweetly he fweeps the fuafive lyre; While, to his voice attun'd, the firings A joyous harmony inspire.

RECITATIVE.

Never was, fure, more proof of grace divine,
Than long with life to let fuch virtue fhine;
This grace has Cefar long enjoy'd,
And long to mend the world employ'd.
AIR.

From hence, to ages, Fame fhall tell,
No fubject e'er had caufe
To guard his facred laws,

Or love their patriot king fo well.

RECITATIVE.

Thus while we boaft his length of days,
We dignify his praise;

Nor can we more of Heaven intreat
Than what our annual vows repeat.
VERSE and CHORUS.
Ah!-late and glorious may he go
To heavenly realms refign'd;
When long renown'd below,

His godlike reign has blefs'd mankind.
To Mifs P- B-

[ocr errors]

of WIls

t

[blocks in formation]

Then dealt to others, by what arts we can,

We view'd your charms with ardent eyes,
While glancing round in shade you shin'd:
On thefe unvail'd we dare not gaze,

Left too much brightness strike us blind.
The fun we see through quivering streams,
Thus fhining, move with majefty;
But dare not view his flaming beams
Defcending from an azure sky,
Elgin, O. 27. 1757.

A SONG. By Mr HACKETT.

Without thinking on't, I gain'd Thyrfis's
As one ev'ning we danc'd on the lee; (heart,
Without thinking on't either, the youth on his
Alas! made a conquest of me.
(part,
Then, Cupid, take care, of this ticklish affair,
Nor leave poor Paftora in thrall;
Left the fwain should forget, and break off as we
Without thinking of it at all.
(met,

An ODE to the King of PRUSSIA.
By Dr FREE.

1

Written after the action near Prague. [241]
Quem virum, aut heroa lyra vel acri
Tibia fumes celebrare Clio.

HOR.

Hen ancient Horace took in hand,

On mind imprinted, and on marble carv'd: Tradition failing, makes Oblivion's age;

Where that's corrupt, 'tis fabulous and vain; But times obfcure attention scarce engage,

And the grofs fable sense and truth disdain.
Old bards, indeed, may ftory as they please,
Diltean Jove, or Gracian Hercules.

We judge of real heroes, for whofe worth
Hiftoric Truth can give her evidence;
Not Homer's captains here may iffue forth,
Nor Pindar's champions of athletic fenfe ;
For mean their occupation, to obtain

Place with imperial conquerors, who hurl'd
Their terrors o'er the earth, and o'er the main,
Thro' the wide quarters of a fubject world:
Where dwell these demigods, her chofen few,
Fair Fame her inmoft temple opes to view.
There tow?rds the windows of the eaft, fhe cries,
Where Sol emerging darts his vig'rous beam,
On yon fair portrait caft your wond'ring eyes,
A mighty artift! and a mighty theme!
That fam'd Athenian erft the picture wrought,
Socratic Xenophon, who fhews the piece,
His pupil near, who comprehends his thought,
Agefilaus was, the pride of Greece!

W Difpos'd fome here of those times to prac, As on a tablet, fce expanded lie,

He view'd the Roman race, and at a stand,

Afk'd of his muse the subject of his lays. Not undetermin'd I attempt to fing:

Their dubious worth his fancy might divide;
I fee in one the hero, fage, and king,

And want no fabled Clio for my guide;
"The world's great circus echoes to my choice;
Tis FRED'RICK, fays the universal voice.
What fons of merit in past ages fhone,

Dim now, as ftars remote, we scarce can fee,
Some with faint glories cluft'ring into one,

Mix in confufion *, like the Galaxy;
Or where, like Cynthia, more diftinct in light,
They roll around, as planets of our own,
And greater feem to us as near our fight,

Yet in the vast expanse they're hardly known:
And all these tribes of night at once give way,
Loft in the fplendor of thy folar ray.
Nimrod, the first great hunter †, disappears,

The facred record just preserves his name;
While his proud tow'r t, once lifted to the stars,
Has moulder'd to the duft, from whence it
And all the human favages, that fear'd

(came;

His iron red, and far-alarming rage,
Have the fame fate from old Oblivion fhar'd;
Who draws her curtain round a barb'rous age;
And leaves fcarce Egypt's pyramids to tell
By whom they rofe, or who within them dwell.
What then is fame?It is the breath of man,
Inform'd by wisdom, and by words preferv'd,
Thus we read of feveral of the names of Fu-
piter and of Hercules, though now generally com-
prehended under one name.

+ It was reported in England, that when his Pruffian Majefty fet out upon his expedition to Saxony, he took the English ambaffador in his coach, and told him, that he was going a-hunting.

Babeh

Whole Afia, with her mountains, rivers, plains; Nor afk what art fuch numbers could supply

Of armies marching o'er her wide domains; Yon brave young Persian-Gods! what kingly mien!

What heavenly aspect in that face is seen!
Hail, mighty CYRUS, the humane and great,

Whofe mind capacious could for these provide;
Whofe pow'r fo many warlike nations beat,

Or wisdom won unconquer'd to his fide.
See favage people now in friendly guise

Unite together in the arts of peace;
See cities fpread, and folemn temples rife †,

To blefs this friend and lord of human race,
Whofe laws could profit, whofe examples bind,
And virtue fix his empire in the mind.
Unequall'd this bright model of a king!

Till twice a thousand years produc'd his peer;
For, hark! the manfions of my temple ring,
With the loud rumour of decifive war.
Sudden as vain Belshazzar's heretofore,
I fee another capital defcend;
The Moldaw wafts the cry from shore to fhore,
And, like Euphrates, turns the victor's friend;
Again the Babylonifh ‡ idols bow,
(now.
And what great Cyrus was, is German FRED'RICK

* The Cyropædia, or Life of Cyrus, written by Xenophon, who was himself not only a great philofopher and fine hiftorian, but also one of the greatest captains of his age, being famous through all antiquity for having fo great a fhare in conducting the retreat of the 10,000 Greeks, who travel. led fome thousand miles through an enemy's country,

He was fo far a friend to true religion, as to order the rebuilding of the temple at Jerufalem.

The idolatry of the church of Rome is often reprefented under the name of Babylon.

An

An abstract of the accounts of further dif. coveries at Herculaneum, &c. [xvii. 444.] Taken from the Philofophical Transactions. From vol. 49. part 1. for 1755, N° 22.23. An abftract of two letters to Thomas Hollis, Efq;

T

HE fubjects of the discoveries related in these letters are,

1. A large garden near Portici, with a palace belonging to it in one of the rooms a mofaic pavement, reprefenting a walled city, with a tower at each corner. 2. Several very fine Greek ftatues, among them a matchlefs Venus, near Santa Maria di Capua.

3. A bronze of Greek workmanship, larger than the life, fuppofed to be a Syrian king.

4. An old Faunus or Silenus fitting on a bank with a tyger by his fide, of bronze; these adorned a fountain, the water iffuing from the tyger's mouth.

5. Three little boys of bronze, with filver eyes.

6. Another boy with a mafk, and three fauns; two leffer boys with vafes on their shoulders; an old faun crowned with ivy, fitting aftride a goat's skin, and holding it at the feet with both his hands. All of bronze. These and the former were all taken out of a place not exceed ing eight palms fquare, and covered with the ruins of the building; for they were not in a garden, but in a room paved with mofaic work.

7. A large quantity of household furniture, confifting of earthen and iron ware, and fome glass.

Shortly will be published a general catalogue of all the things which have hitherto been found; and this year (1755) will come out alfo the first volume of the paintings.

An abftract of a letter from a learned gentleman at Naples, dated February 25. 1755, concerning the ancient writings dug out near Herculaneum, &c. A Bout 150 rolls were found, near half

a palm long, and round. One of them falling, broke in the middle, and difcovered many letters, whence it was VOL. XIX.

L

It

known that they were of the papyrus. They were in wooden cafes, which were burnt, fo as not to be recovered; and the rolls are fo hard as not to be unfolded at first, but by flitting fome of them, more words were difcovered. At length a prieft, named Antonio, a writer in the Vatican, was fent for: he found the means of loofening one leaf from another; and lining the blank back of each; all which he executes with patience not to be imagined. The first roll appears to be the work of a Greek writer. is a philofophic tract (in Plutarch's manner) upon mufic, blaming it as pernicious to fociety, and productive of foftnefs and effeminacy. The beginning is wanting, but it feems to be the work of a Stoic, becaufe Zeno is much commended. The letters are capital ones, and almost without abbreviations. As foon as this roll is finished, they will begin a Latin one. There are fome fo voluminous, that unrolled they will take up a hundred palms fpace.

An

From vel. 49. part 2. for 1756, No 66. abstract of two letters from Camillo Paderni to Thomas Hollis, Efq; the firft dated June 28. 1755

TH

Hefe letters contain an account, that in April 1755, as the miners were digging near the amphitheatre, in the fite of the ancient Pompeii, beyond the Torre della Nunziata, they difcovered a marble capital of the Corinthian order; and upon a farther fearch they found two fluted pilafters of white marble, ten feet high, with capitals and bafes of the Corinthian order. In a line at right angles with these pilafters, nine other pilafters were difcovered about feven feet high, and on the fide oppofite to thefe, another line of five pilafters, which were alfo feven feet high. Thefe rows of pilafters, making three fides of a quadrangle, formed a portico, in front of a fquare building of one ftory, of which little bas yet been difcovered, except that there are porticos at the fides as well as the front.

with pilafters, not of marble, but of brick covered with stucco, coloured with green, and not fluted. The front of 4 G

« ZurückWeiter »