The success of the plan appeared to him pro-blematical :-he recollects that he then began to entertain an opinion, which now seems general, that, in the whole system of the poor laws, there is something radically, but incurably wrong. A gentleman, on whose authority he can depend, told him, that Mr. Pitt, being on a visit in Essex, descanted with great satisfaction, on the prosperous state of the country, and particularly, on the comfortable condition of the poor. His host let the discourse drop; but contrived that, on the following day, Mr. Pitt should walk into the adjoining town of Halsted. It presented a spectacle of the utmost poverty and wretchedness:— he surveyed it for some time in wonder and silence; and then declared that he had no conception that England presented, in any part of

such a scene: he made a liberal donation to its distressed inhabitants, and soon afterwards brought into parliament a bill for the relief of the poor.-Nothing can show the unmanageable nature of the subject more than the fate of this bill a slight discussion of it discovered its absolute impracticability;-yet Mr. Pitt possessed talents of uncommon magnitude, and had every assistance in forming and arranging the bill, which the experience and ingenuity of others could supply.

:

V.

THE REMINISCENT'S ESSAY ON IMPRESSING SEAMEN-EARL OF SANDWICH.

THE writer's next publication, was a pamphlet of somewhat greater consequence, intituled,— An "ESSAY ON THE LEGALITY OF IMPRESSING "SEAMEN" it was more favourably received, and went through two editions. It introduced the writer to the acquaintance of the earl of Sandwich, then the first lord of the admiralty: some pages in the second edition were written by his lordship. It first appeared in the year 1778. -It was occasioned by attempts, which were made, at that time, to persuade the public, that the practice of impressing was contrary both to the law and constitution of Great Britain. This notion was particularly patronized by the honourable Temple Luttrell, an active member of the opposition. Ministers were afraid of the consequences, and lord North desired the late Mr. Thomas Astle, the keeper of the records in the Tower, a gentleman singularly respected and loved, to procure a publication in its defence. He proposed it to the Reminiscent: this gave rise to the pamphlet we have mentioned: it was much read, and was even said to settle the question.

The principal arguments and authorities which it contained, were taken from the speech of sir

Michael Foster, (formerly recorder of Bristol, and afterwards deservedly advanced to be one of the judges of the court of King's Bench), in the case of Alexander Broadfoot, indicted for the murder of a sailor who was one of a party that endeavoured to impress him. Some additional facts and arguments are adduced in the Reminiscent's pamphlet; but, on a recent perusal of it, he found them so few, that, particularly as the subject has long ceased to be a topic of discussion, he would not give it a place in the general collection of his works.

The pamphlet was dedicated to lord Loughborough, at this time, his majesty's solicitor-general, and procured for the Reminiscent repeated instances of the good-will of that distinguished person. The public did not do his lordship justice his dereliction of the whigs, to whom he had originally attached himself, in his political career, excited a prejudice against him, from which he never recovered. But his talents, his munificence, his steadiness in friendship, and his literary endowments, it is impossible to deny : the Reminiscent found him on every occasion a warm and an active friend.

VI.

THE SPEECH OF THE LATE EARL OF SANDWICH, IN DEFENCE OF HIS ADMINISTRATION OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL.

Lord Erskine's First Speech.

IT has been mentioned, that his essay on the legality of impressing Seamen, introduced the writer to the earl of Sandwich. In 1779, a captain Baillie published a work, which severely reflected on his lordship's administration of GREENWICH HOSPITAL; it accused him of neglect and corruption, and of conferring almost all places of rank and emolument in the hospital on land-men; and thus making its patronage subservient to his lordship's Huntingdonshire politics. His lordship moved, in the court of King's Bench, for criminal information against the captain. Mr. Erskine defended him: it was the first time that he advocated a cause in any court of justice; and never did a first speech elevate an advocate, so instantly, into eminence; he retained it until, at the close of his forensic career, he was advanced to the office of chancellor.

The eloquence of this remarkable man, was an era at the bar. His addresses to juries have not been equalled; they alike captivated their understandings, their imaginations, and their passions. He often rose to the highest oratory; but it was always simple; and even in his sublimest flights,

there was much that was very familiar; but this rather set off than clouded their splendour, rather increased than diminished their general effect. His skill in the conduct of a cause, and in the examination of witnesses, has never been surpassed his discretion never forsook him, even in his highest forensic enthusiasm; his manners were always most gentlemanly; at the bar he was uniformly loved and admired; and, when he accepted the seals, no one, as lord Eldon justly remarked of him, could have a greater wish to discharge properly the office, which was conferred on him, or greater talents to qualify him for a proper discharge of it. A true friend to constitutional liberty, he was its constant and animated advocate; but he never failed in respect to the crown, or sacrificed to the prejudices or vagaries of the populace.

His speech against the information, for which lord Sandwich applied, was successful: the information was refused, and prejudice ran high against the noble peer. This produced an inquiry, in the house of lords, into his lordship's management of Greenwich hospital. It was conducted by the duke of Richmond with ability, and the most pertinacious and persevering industry. Lord Sandwich entrusted his defence to the Reminiscent:-his labour was great,-and, as it led to no information that could be of use to him on any future occasion, it was most ungrateful. He prepared the speech, which his lordship delivered in his defence: it was favourably