A letter from Mr. Edwards to Mr. Drew, of May, 1803, gives the earliest intimation that the attention of the late Dr. Clarke had been drawn to Mr. Drew's writings. "The editors," he says, "of the European Magazine have spoken very well of the work and of its author; and several sensible men in London who have read it think highly of it. I learn from Mr. Britton, that the Monthly Mirror, Gentleman's Magazine, Critical Review, and British Critic, intend noticing it; and, as he thinks, will give it a good character. My particular friend, Adam Clarke, has promised me to read your book with critical accuracy, and to write me his sentiments on it. He has a high opinion of you and your abilities."

The Essay on the Soul,' the copyright of which Mr. Drew had disposed of on the terms just named, and which, before its first appearance, a Cornish bookseller had refused at the price of ten pounds, after passing through four editions in England, two in America, and being translated and printed in France, at the end of twenty-eight years became again his property. He then gave it a final revision, added much important matter, and sold it a second time, to Messrs. Fisher and Co., Newgate-Street, London, for two hundred and fifty pounds.

SECTION XIV.

Extension of Mr. Drew's literary acquaintance— He commences his Essay on the Identity and Resurrection of the Human Body.

MR. DREW was now become an author of established reputation. In many of the literary journals his Essay on the Soul had received unqualified praise; and this praise he felt to be an incitement to further exertion. His friends thought that he had parted with the copyright of his book upon too easy terms. Influenced by their opinions, he was at first disposed to think as they did; but, on viewing the subject in all its bearings, he felt perfectly satisfied with the bargain he had made. Undoubtedly, after the favourable criticisms on the work had appeared, he might have taken it to a better market; but both buyer and seller had made a contract in ignorance of this, and as a matter of speculation. To the promptitude of Mr. Edwards in getting the book reprinted by the time public curiosity was awakened beyond the boundaries of Cornwall, Mr. Drew thought himself indebted for many of the courteous attentions which were bestowed upon him by strangers and persons of elevated station. He had already obtained the notice of several literary gentlemen:-a door was now opened for the extension of such acquaintance.

In a former age, a prophet was not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.' Mr. Drew's frank disposition, upright character, and acknowledged talents, procured him the favourable notice and kind offices not only of persons at a distance, but of those in his immediate neighbourhood. A short letter, now before the writer, shews the sentiments of a gentleman (then well known in Cornwall,) who, as a resident in the same town with Mr. Drew, was enabled to scrutinize his conduct.

"SIR,

"To Mr. Samuel Drew.

"St. Austell, 24th March, 1803.

When I returned from Menabilly, this evening, I received your favour, with the second edition of your late work, for which I return you many thanks. The additions and alterations to this book are really great improvements, and must, I think, give very general satisfaction. If my good opinion of you, and recommendation of your publication, has been of any service, I am very glad of it; but I do not think it entitled me to the copy you have sent. I certainly thought your answer to Tom Paine the best I had read; and, as a justice due to your conduct and character, you had (and have) my best wishes; being truly,

"Sir,

It would be easy to mention other distinguished individuals from whom Mr. Drew received repeated

proofs of esteem and good-will; but the enumeration might appear ostentatious. We, however, venture to particularize one, not unknown in political life, but still more conspicuous in the annals of science, who, about this time, honoured Mr. Drew with his friendship and correspondence. He had known Mr. D.'s name from his writings:- the incident which led to a more intimate acquaintance may interest the reader.

In the village of Tywardreath, mentioned in an earlier part of this volume, Mrs. Kingdon, Mr. Drew's sister resides; - her husband being engaged in business as a shoemaker. During a long and heavy summer shower, a person on horseback, of plain but genteel appearance, stopped at her door, and begged for shelter. She offered him the best refreshment in her house; but he would only take tea with the family. They found him intelligent, though unassuming; and he seemed quite at home. While his clothes were drying, he went into the workshop, and made such minute inquiries about the business, and shewed so accurate an acquaintance with its details, that it was concluded he must be either a shoemaker, or a dealer in leather. In the kitchen he was no less inquisitive. The stranger appearing to know every thing, one of the workmen, who, emulous of Mr. Drew's fame, had been puzzling himself about Greek and Mathematics, ventured to propose some questions - thinking it possible that he might get a solution of his difficulties from this unexpected quarter. To the surprise of all, the gentleman entered upon these topics as matters in which he was

profoundly skilled, and gave the inquirer not only the desired information, but a great deal more. Some one expressing admiration at his extensive acquirements, he said, "I know a little-perhaps more than some of my neighbours and yet I was never at school in my life." The weather clearing, he took up a slate which was at hand, wrote on it, and with many thanks for their kind treatment, took his leave.

Upon his departure, the question arose, Who can the stranger be?' After various conjectures, it was proposed to examine the slate; and upon it was found written, Davies Giddy.' The gentleman had given them to understand that he came from the western part of the county. A neighbour, from that district, whose opinion was solicited, said, that he had heard of a Justice Giddy' in the west: but the majority agreed, that such a plain, unassuming, familiar person as the stranger, could not be a justice. Mrs. Kingdon, however, contrasting his learning with his statement, that he had never been at school,' was convinced that he must be a gentleman who had received a private education; and from this, and other particulars occurring to her recollection, she thought it possible that her late guest, homely and affable as he appeared, might be Justice Giddy.'

After a few days the gentleman again called, on his return from the eastward, and gave his address. Mrs. Kingdon apologized for the unceremonious manner in which she and her family had questioned and conversed with him, not knowing-what they had

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