cause.

In all the recent attempts for Catholic emancipation, lord Londonderry showed himself a real friend to their It was impossible to converse with him upon the subject, or to see the interest which he took in the various debates upon it, without being convinced that his lordship had the most cordial wishes for its success, and that he thought it a measure which would materially serve the real interests of the empire, and do honour to his name. On the Wednesday before he died, he had a long conversation upon Catholic concerns, with Dr. Poynter, the Roman, Catholic vicar apostolic for the London district, and expressed sentiments towards the Catholic body, of consummate wisdom and liberality.In one word, the marquis of Londonderry comported himself on the late agitations of the Catholic question, with kindness, frankness, and honour, like a gentleman, a statesman, and a true lover of his country. Among his numerous political adversaries, there was not one who did not do ample justice to this part of his conduct; and the Catholics feel that his death has deprived them of a wise, a powerful, a warm, and an active friend.

From his successor, the RIGHT HONOURABle George CANNING, what is there just and reasonable, which the Catholics may not expect? He understands their case, has splendid talents, has enlarged views ; loves honourable fame, and possesses one of the kindest minds the Reminiscent ever knew. Should he achieve Catholic emancipation, and thus conciliate the jarring interests of the empire, his name will sound throughout all Europe, and the reign of his royal master will form an era that millions in the present, and millions in future ages will bless.

Looking at what the Reminiscent thinks the merit of

his cause, he is surprised that its triumph has been so long delayed: Looking at the difficulties which seemed to overwhelm it, when it first engaged his attention, he admires its gradual but steady progress; he now flatters himself that the alternation of hope and disappointment, in which he has existed during almost half a century, will cease; and that the third generation of the Stðurtons, the Petres, the Cliffords, and the Throckmortons, will witness the ultimate success of the councils and toils of their grandsires, and their humble but indefatigable collaborator.

With these hopes, he consigned the Historical Memoirs to the press.

After the whole third edition of them, except the appendix to the last volume, was printed, several important documents came into his hands.

He was favoured with the inspection of the ample collections of printed books and manuscripts at Holkham, the magnificent seat of Mr. Coke :-they were made by the late earl of Leicester, the maternal uncle of Mr. Coke's father.-As a catalogue of the manuscript collection is preparing for publication, under the direction of Mr. Roscoe, the Reminiscent will not now notice it, except by stating generally, that all men of learning, particularly biblical scholars, and those who are engaged in the study of the history or antiquities of this country, will find it extremely interesting, on account both of the number and the value of the articles which it contains. Sic siti lætantur lares,-the literary lares are never so well pleased, as when they preside over a literary collection so extensive, made with so much skill, and communicated with so much liberality.

Holkham abounds in paintings and sculpture by the

most celebrated masters. How little are these generally known! This confirms Mr. Gibbon's remark, that, if her excellent monuments of art were, as is the case in most foreign countries, brought into her capital, England would be astonished at her own treasures.

Such have been THE REMINISCENT'S LITERARY LABOURS, they have received his last cares: Such as they are: they now stand before the public, and wait their sentence. With Dr. Johnson* the Reminiscent can say, "that he "has lived, until, most of those, whom he could have "wished to please, have sunk into oblivion ;" but, with Dr. Johnson he cannot say, "that he dismisses his works "with frigid tranquillity, insensible alike of fear and "hope" he acknowledges the hope, entertained by him in youth, manhood, and old age, that his pages would be approved by the good, the informed, and the candid he owns that their censure will afflict him, and that their approbation will be a source to him of high and abundant gratification.

:

* In the admirable conclusion of his preface to his Dictionary.

APPENDIX.

NOTE I. referred to in page 73.

JUNIUS.

IN the passage in the text, which refers to this note, mention is made of a story once current, "that a géntleman came in the Bath coach to the Devizes, or the next stage, and fell sick at the inn; that a very decent gentleman came to him from London; that the old man died; that he was buried in the churchyard, and that over his tomb, his friend caused a monument to be raised, with Junius's motto- Stat nominis umbra.'

The Gentleman's Magazine for December 1813, contains a letter, giving an account of this circumstance. December 10th.

"Mr. Urban, "Have the seekers after Junius ever heard of Mr. William Greatrakes, born in the barony of Imokilly, in the county of Cork in Ireland, about the year of 1725 ?

"One, who was his friend, and who states his conviction, in common with others, who knew him well, that this Greatrex was the author of the Letters of Junius, has permitted me to note down the following particulars relating to him, and which I am assured are, to the best of my informant's knowledge, correct.

"Mr. Greatrex was bred to the law, and called at the usual period to the Irish bar. After practising a few

years, he quitted that profession, and after becoming an officer, signalized himself again as a barrister, by undertaking the defence of a friendless soldier, upon trial for a capital offence. This circumstance led to an acquaintance with the judge; that, to an introduction to the then lord lieutenant; and so on finally to an intimacy with lord Shelbourne, in whose house he was an inmate during the publication of the Letters of Junius. He became an half-pay officer, and about 1779 retired to a small property of his own in the neighbourhood of Youghall. Here he was engaged in continual writing, and much correspondence with his friend lord Shel

bourne.

"He died at some place in Wiltshire, on his way to London. During his illness, he sent for his executor, a captain Stopford, who had been in the 63d regiment of foot, and deposited many papers in his hands.

"I am sensible that there are many hiata which require filling up in this narrative, but which I am not now in possession of materials to do.

"Enclosed you have his autograph cut from a book in his possession.

"It certainly appears to bear a strong resemblance to most of the specimens in Mr. Woodfall's new edition; and, if the preceding narration turns out to be a substance materially correct, it may induce those who believe that Junius employed an amanuensis, to confer that honour on William Greatrakes, Esq. By the description of his figure, I was sorry to find that he would not answer for the tall gentleman with the bag wig and white coat, who (by the account of Mr. Jackson, one of Woodfall's journeymen,) managed the conveyancing branch of the department.

"ONE OF THE PACK."

In a note to this letter, the editor of the Gentleman's Magazine informs us, that "he has been assured that Mr. Greatrakes died at the Bear Inn in Hungerford, and that a flat stone in the churchyard is thus inscribed: