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entered the births, marriages, and deaths of all his friends. He played, at least 4852 times, befides walking in proceffion An ac cidental fall down ftairs January 31, 1806, contributed to haften his death, which took place September 16, in the 70th year of his age. Those who faw Mr. P. perform in his decline, will be furprised to find, that forty years ago, Churchill, in his Rofciad, characterized him thus,

"Who cau, like Packer, charm with fprightly eafe?"

But whatever might have been his merits, his latter days were embittered by inatten tion! Unable to derive from his falary, by reafon of stoppages, thofe comforts which his me of life required, he funk under grief, and added another to those fatal inftances of diftrefs in their latter days, which are already too numerous among the devotees of the stage.

The Bishop of St. Pol de Leon, 80. This worthy prelate was venerable not only from age, but from his public and private charac. ter. He was born in the compté of Cornouailles, in Bas Bretagne, July, 1722, and originally entered into the profeffion of arms; but left that service to devote himfelf to the facred office. He was named in 1772, to the fee of St. Pol de Leon, and came into England in 1791 to fhelter himself from the phrenzy of the revolution. Never will his countrymen forget that he was the means of curveying to them the bounty of the British nation; and he had the fatisfaction of feeing this bounty prolonged, and effectually eltab. hed. The prifons of England, the Eaftladies, Botany-Bay itfelf, thared in his diftribution, and his compaffion was confpicueus on the defolate hores of Cayenne. Sinamary, and of Conamana. A ftate of debiLty gradually conducted him to the tomb, with little previous fuffering.

Mr. Ifaac Reed, (bofe death is mentioned in the laft number), was the son of a tradefiman near Temple-bar, and loft his parents at an early age. He was educated at Streatham, in Surry, and being intended for the profeffion of the law, articled to an attorney of confiderable practice. Soon after the expiration of this engagement be took chambers in Grays-inn, and practifed for fome time as a convey sacer, but the attractions of the Mutes fedecing his mind from the ftudy of legal diftactions, he gradually relinquished the profetion for purloits more congenial to his tate, and at length wholly devoted his time to English literature. He was chiefly known to the public in the character of an editor, in which capacity he prepared and materially altered an edition of Dodley's collec to of Old Plays, 12 vols. fall octavo, an improved edition of Prior's works, 2 vols. fall octavo, and an edition of Goldfimith's Flays, with a preface. He made a collecon of Puems, in 4 vols., as a contmuation « = collection published by Dedley, and col

lected the fugitive poems of Lady Mary Wortley Montague into a small volume. In 1782 he edited the enlarged edition of the Biographia Dramatica; and was a great contributor to the Biographical Dictionary in 12 vols. octavo, published in 1784. In 1785 he edited an edition of Shakespear in 10 vols. octavo, a task for which he was peculiarly qualified, from his thorough knowledge of old English authors, from the poffeffion of a library abundantly stored with the earliest dramatic productions, and from his being on terms of particular intimacy with Dr. Farmer, Mr. Stevens, and other eminent commentators and admirers of the great dramatic bard. In 1793 he very materially affitted Mr. Stevens in his celebrated edition of Shakespear, all the proof theets of which were corrected at has chambers. He was many years editor of the European Magazine, of which he was alfo a proprietor with his friends, Mr. D. Brathwaite, and the lute John Sewell, in equal third fhares. On en tering upon this undertaking, an agreement was made, that in cafe of the death of either of the parties, the other two fhould have the option of purchafing his thare on payment of a certain fum: accordingly on the death of Mr. Sewell, the accounts refpecting the Magazine, were fettied with his executors, and the whole concern became the property of the furvivors, who in 1806 fold it to J, Afperne, the fucceffor of Mr. Sewell,

Some account of the late James Simmons, efq. one of the M. P.'s for Canterbury in the prefent parliament. Mankind are but too fond of contemplating heroes and launching their admiration on exploits, which they can never hope, either to imitate, or excel. On the other hand, the biography of the middle ranks of life, abounds with practical inftruc tion. Mr. Simmons was born in that city, which he was afterwards deftined to reprefeut, about the year 1740, in a little obfcure houfe, in the immediate vicinity of the ca thedral; his parents* were poor but honeft, and he was educated at the king's fehool, in Canterbury, originally founded by Henry VIII. Having been feat to London, while a boy, he became an apprentice to the late Mr. Thomas Greenhill, an eminenti tradelman, nearly oppofite to the Manfionhoufe; whole houfe has fince been converted into a banker's fhop; thus still keeping

The writer of this article has always underflood that his father was a barber, and he the more readily mentions this circumstances in order to prevent the minds of industrious young men in that rank of life, from relaxing in their exertions, or defpairing of their future elevation. The conftitution of this country, happily enables every man to afpire to the first honours of the ftate, and it is only the tow boru prejudices of rank and wealth, that can ridicule any ftate that does not depend on the volition of an individual.

Aa2

up,

up, although not its ancient firm, at leaft its ancient employment, ftationers and bankers being both dealers in paper. Mr. Simmons at length, entered iuto bufinefs for himself, and, having become a liveryman, was after wards put in nomination for fheriff. This occurred twice, first in 1802, and then we believe in 1806, when it was reprefented that his ftate of health would prevent him from undergoing the fatigues of office. Notwithstanding the advantages held out by a refidence in the capital, yet the tubject of this brief memoir Aill languished to return to his native city; he accordingly repaired thither, about the year 1768, and immediately established a printing office, with the management of which, he had before made himfelf acquainted. The reader, perhaps, will file to learn, that he was, at this period, the only printer in Kent! The first effort made by him towards profperity, was the publication of a newspaper, called "The Kentish Gazette:" before that period, the Kentish Poit, or Canterbury News, was the only paper belonging to that extenfive and opulent county*. It confifted of four foolfcap folio pages, contained but two or three advertisements, and was adorned with a wood cut that occupied full one third of the first leaf. Having introduced a new type, and a new talle, this undertaking fucceeded to admiration, and Mr. S. foon became the firft ftationer, bookfeller, &c in the city that gave him birth. He was alfo chofen a member of the corporation, and became a commoner, alderman, and mayor, in rotation. But the rife of the fubject of this memoir is chiefly to be attributed to his politics, to his whiggifm! Having taken part, with Mr. Honeywood, in the contests for the county, &c. he was of courte patronized by that party; and, when at the conclufion of the American war, the Marquis of Rockingham, Mr. Fox, &c. came into

* As the Kentish Poft of December 19, 1724, now lies before me, I thall fubjoin a theatrical advertisement, by way of ipecimen:-"This is to acquaint the Curious, That at the Theatre in High freet, Canterbury, is to be feen the most Nobleft Piece of Work that ever was performed upon a British Stage; confifting of large .Artificial Actors, five Feet high; and by them will be Acted, on Saturday next, a Play, call'd, The Unhappy Favourite, or the Earl of Effex, with the Beheading the Earl upon a Mourning Scaffold, and his Head expos'd to publick View by the Hands of the Executioner. Having met with great Applaufe from both the Univerfities, and most of the Nobility and Gentry reforting to Bath and Tunbridge Wells, and most of the Judicious Places of the Kingdom.-Note, There is a new pair of Stairs, and the Theatre is Ceil'd, being now made very commodious for GenNemen, Ladies, &c."

power, in 1783, he was appointed, during their fort adminiftration, Diftributor of Stamps for the county of Kent, the emolument of which office, have always been eftimated at a very conûderable fum. From this moment, however, the fervices of Mr. S. (at least in a political point of view) were loft to his country, as he was precluded by his fituation, from oppofing the first French war, and all the alterations introduced in confequence of it, (by Mr. Pitt) into the constitution, with the fame ardour, that he had combated the American contest, and the malverfations of Lord North. This, however, did not prevent him from diftinguishing himfelf, by what may be termed the Civic Virtues. The first public act of this kind, in which his zeal became manifefted, was the offer of his fervices to regulate the new improvements introduced into Canterbury, in confequence of an act of parliament. It was he, in particular, who fuperintended the paving of that city; and fuch was the attention and ability difplayed, by him, on this occafion, that he received the thanks of the corporation, which were accompanied by a piece of plate of the value of 501. The next public work engaged in, by him, was the erection of a mill on a magnificent feale, for the regular fupply of the Canterbury market with flour. In 1791, Meffrs. Simmons and Royle gave a premium of 2450!. for a thirty years' leafe of Abbot's andKing's mill, and they expended on the building and other improvements to the amount of 80001. more. Mr. Smeaton, the late cele brated engineer, while engaged at Ramf gate harbour, undertook the erection of a new mill, with fuch a power as to be able to turn fix, and even eight pair of ftones. When fpoken to by Mr Simmons, and asked if he would undertake it, he replied in the af firmative, adding at the fame time with a file, "Yes, I confent to your request, and I am the only man in England, who can complete your project; for I have been oc cupied all my life about water, and think I can make a drop of it go further than any other man in the kingdom." Instead of converting this project, which was finished by Mr. Abbot, of Canterbury, in a very masterly manner, into a monopoly for the oppreffion of the inhabitants, and the crea tion of an immenfe fortune, Mr. Simmons was enabled to realize those projects dearest to his heart. It was capacious enough for the ambition of any man, or the execution of any fcheme, as it forms a quadrangle

The following is an account of this ingenious contrivance:-" To the grinding floor the walls are fubftantially built of brick and fione; from thence to the eaves, the building is continued with mally timber, covered with plain weather-boardang, terminating on the tour fides, handfomely and uniformly fathed, with a bold block cor

of 72 feet, by 52, 5 inches; the height from the foundation to the vane is about 100 feet, and it contains fix working floors, betides the obfervatory on the top, in which M, S. was accuftomed, at times, to give entertainments to public bodies, such as the chief officers of the diftrict, &c. As the returns have been computed at 40,0001. per annum, he was enabled to keep down the price of meal, and the affizet bread. To achieve this, he cheerfully affifted the magiftrates adjufine value of the quartern loaf, and 1800, published an advertifement, by which he invited the induftrious pour to come in perfon for a fupply of their neceffities. In 1804, Mr. Alderman Simmons acted as Prefident of the Guardians of

mce, and the whole roof covered with flates, The wheel thoroughs are accurately curved, and lined with jointed Portland ftone. The two water wheels, which put the whole machinery a motion, are fixteen feet diameter, and feven feet wide. The fpur wheels, whofe nuts, arms, and shafts, are iron, carry eight pair of ftones. From the fpar wheels, by a continuation of upright iron shafts, motion is given to the complicat ed machinery for clearing the corn, dreffing the flour and hiftly to the lifting tackle upon the upper flour. The mill-works, which are diftinct for each water wheel, are of iron, where it would be properly fubftituted for wood, and the whole finished with a mechanical accuracy, fo much to the credit of the feveral aruts employed in their conftruction, that though the greatet fall of water here never exceeds five feet three inches, this mill is to powerful, as to be capable of grinding and dreifing into flour 500 quarters of corn weekly.

"There the vaft mill-ftone with inebriate whirl,

On trembling floors his forceful fingers twirl; Whofe flinty teeth the golden harvests grind, Feaft without blood! and nourish human

kind."

The bridge over the mill ftream, the adjoining twinery, fpacious lodges and stabling, and a pacious ihop for retailing meal and four in fall quantities, befides a number of dwellings in Brown's-lane, and King'sfreet, are additional and recent improvements by Mr. Alderman Simmons, now the fole leftée of Abbot's mill "-Geftling's Walk, me to p. 12.

To the induftrious poor of the City and Suburbs of Canterbury - laft week informed you, that on account of the very high price of bread and meat, I had directed, that mest thould be told to you at Abbot's mill, at the reduced price of one fhilling and fixpence per gallon. I was extremely concerned, that you loft so much time at the Tali on Saturday laft, before you could be ferved; but the plan I have now adopted, will, I truit, prevent any fuch dělay in futare. I wish to make this relief to you as acceptable, as I truft it is feasonable, and

the Poor. On this occafion he introduced a weaving manufactory, and employed the children of diftreffed perfons, within the liberties of the city, to the number of 150, who received the whole of their wages without deductions; fome of the girls of only twelve years old, earned three thillings and fixpence a week by fpinning alone. During his administration, the arrears were collected, the accounts fettled, and a large debt liquidated. The next undertaking we shall mention, is the project of a canal from Canterbury to the fea, by means of which, and proper piers, wharfs, &c that ancient city would have been enabled to enjoy all the advantages of a port. To accouplish this, Mr. Whitworth, a celebrated engineer repaired thither, at the request and at the fole expence of Mr. Simmons; with as little inconvenience to you as poffible. I am fure you will excufe your being to long detained laft week, when I tell you, that eight hundred and twelve poor families were ferved with two thousand four hundred and fifty three gallons of meal; and if the benefit which yourselves and your children received, was equal to your expectations, I am amply rewarded by your grateful acceptance of it. The fecond diftribution of meal, at one thilling and fixpence per gallon, at Abbot's mill, will be as under: On Saturday morning, May 24, 1800;-The poor families from the parishes of Northgate and St. Alphage, from 6 till 9; from the parishes of St. Paul and St. Martin, from 9 till 11; from the parishes of St. Andrew and St. Mary Bredman, from 11 till 12; from the precincts of Chrift Church and Staplegate, from 12 till 1--On Monday morning, May 26, 1800; -The poor families from the parishes of St. Mildred and All Saints, from 6 till 8; from the parishes of St. George and Burgate, from 8 till 9; from the parishes of St Margaret and St. Mary Bredin, from 9 till 10; from the parishes of St. Peter and Weftgate, from 10 till 12; from the parish of St. Dunftan, from 12 till 1.

Some unfavourable reports, I understand, have been propagated refpecting the quality of the meal; butyou may believe me, good people, that fooner than have offered you fo grofs an affront, or fo fhamefully have infulted your feelings, as to fell you bad meal, or dirty mixtures, under the pretence of relieving your diftrefs; I would have burnt the milito the water's edge-From what quarter fuch reports have arifen, I do not pretend to fay, but if the bakers of this city or fuburbs, or any of them will have the goodness to walk down to the mill, during the distribution of the meal, it will be a very great fatisfaction to me; and knowing your diftreffes as they do, there can be no doubt, but that they will most readily give every afliftance m their power to render this charity as effectual as they can,towards your relict.

St. George's. May 22, 1800,

JAMES SIMMONS.

and

and, during a fortnight's refidence, he was enabled to furvey the whole line of the intended cut, which was then eflimated at only 20,000!.! The next beneficial altera tion fuggefted and accomplished by this public fpirited citizen, was the improvement of fome acres of land, on which till ftand the ruins of the Dungil, Dungeon, or Dane John, all of which fufficiently exprefs the epoch, and the nation by whom it was erected. This ancient fortrefs then flood in a tract of waste ground, enclofed on the south by the city wall, extending between Riding gate and Wincheap-gap, and bounded on the caft and weft, by the Dover and Afhford roads. Until 1790 it remained an oneven and rugged piece of pasture, when Mr. S. commenced his great undertaking, not for his own advantage, but solely for the recreation and amufement of the public. After immenfe labour, on the part of a numerous, body of workmen, and great perfonal exertions, as well as pecuniary facrifices, it at length affumed a very different appear ance from which it had before exhibited, The grounds were levelled, the walls were repaired, the little bill, or tumulus, was rendered more uniform, and the whole was planned and laid out with a confiderable degree of taste. To fupport the expences of maintaining walls and fences, and other neceflary repairs, this generous citizen appropriated an annual falary; and the corporation being, by that time, fenfible of the inproved value of their citate, granted the ground at a pepper corn reut, to Mr. S., for the remainder of his life. But the guardians of the poor, actuated by a narrow policy, having affeffed the leffee, for what proved a great advantage to the public, without being of any fervice to the proprietor; this charming foot fell rapidly to decay. At length, and aldermen having expended 2201. in repairs, under the judicious direction of Mr. Alderman bunce, another public fpirited man, who, after arranging their charters, undertook to recover this place of public amulement from the dilapidated ftate into which it had fallen, it was reftored by his exertions to its former beauty. Mr. Goftling, in his Walk in and about the City of Canterbury, gives the following defeription of it-The walks throughout are gravelled, and thofe round the lower part of the inciofure, shaded with poplar trees and detached. plantations of furubs; aftraight walk, thirteen feet wide, and 1150 in length, extends between two rows of lines, forming a commuTrication at each end, and in the centre, with the hill and the furrounding walks. The terrace 19 feet wide, and 18-10 long, is formed on the top of the rampart within the wall, which has been repaired, and railed, into a parapet the whole length, and contimed from within a few paces of St. George's gate, (over the lofty and spacious arch acrofs The Dover road, on the pot whereon flood Riding-gate), to the opening at the entrance to Wincheap; patting in its courfe the

the

mayor

old watch towers, four of the areas of which, are planted with trees and flowering thrubs, enclofed with commodious feats, and defended by hand fome palifades. From the lawn are ferpentine walks, boidered with quick thorn, and fenced by pofts and chains, 480 feet in afcent on each fide, to the funmit of the mount; which, by these improve ments, was heightened about 18 feet. On its fide is a circular walk, having feats, which command uninterrupted views of the city and adjacent country; upon the top, a round gravelled plat, 26 feet in diameter, a ftone pillar, having in its bafe, four femicircular niches, fronting the cardinal points of the compass, furmounted with a shaft, terminated with an ornamental urn, was erected by a fubfcription of the inhabitants, in 1803; at the fame time a neat coltage was built, for the conftant refidence of a gar dener, at 601. per annum, voted in perpe tuity, by the corporation as his falary for keeping the whole in repair. On two of the four marble tablets of the pillar, are the following inferiptions :—

EAST TABLET.

"This field and hill were improved, and thefe terraces, walks, and plantations, made in the year 1790, for the ufe of the public, at the fole expence of James Simmons, efq of this city, alderman and banker. To perpetuate the memory of which generous tranfaction, and as a mark of gratitude for his other public fervices, this pillar was erected by voluntary fubfcription, in the year 1803,”

WEST TABLET.

"The mayor and commoualty of this ancient city, in confequence of the expentive improvements lately made in this field, unanimously refolved, in the year 1802, to uppropriate the fame, in perpetuity, to the uie of the public, and to endow it with fixty pounds a year, for the maintenance and fup port of the terrace, walks, and plantations, payable out of the chamber."

From hence "continues the minor canon," the profpects of the city, the furrounding villages, and the gently riding hills, form a most beautiful and picturesque picture. Since this period, indeed fo lately as the fummer of 1805, Mr. Alderman Simmons, in addition to his former munificence, added a beautiful orchestra, conftructed with great tafte, in which fometimes one, and fometimes two, united bands of the regiments quartered in the city, are ftationed, on purpose to entertain the inhabitants every evening during the fummer. "On the whole, he is fuppofed to have expended about 2000 guineas, in his various improvements, and that tolely for the benefit of the citizens of, and ftrang ers occafionally, repairing to, Canterbury. At length, at the general election, in 1806, his townfmen were enabled to exhibit a proper fenfe of gratitude and respect, by. electing him one, of their two, reprefenta tives; and, he accordingly died, as he had. lived, in their fervice, February, 1807, while attending his duty in parliament.

PROVINCIAL

PROVINCIAL OCCURRENCES,
WITH ALL THE MARRIAGES AND DEATHS;
Arranged geographically, or in the Order of the Counties, from North to South.

Communications for this Department of the Monthly Magazine, properly authenticated, and fent free of Popage, are always thankfully received. Those are wore particularly acceptable which describe the Progress of Local Improvements of any kind, or which contain Biographical Anecdotes or Facts relative to eminent or remarkable Characters recently deceased.

NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. Married At North Shields, Capt. Wm. Thompson, of the ship Eagle, to Mifs Cathe rine Robinfon

At Newcastle, the Rev. George Atkin, to Mifs Ann Grey-Mr. Francis Ewart, merchant, to Mifs Eliz. Emerfon, fecond daughter of the Rev. George E.-Mr. James Alison, merchant, of Leith, to Mifs Bell, daughter of the late John B. efg of Gallowhill-house.

At Durham, Mr. Thomas Carr, of Wilton-Gilbert, to Mifs Mary Carr.

At Eafington, Capt. Sharpe of Sunderland, to Mifs Wilkinfon, of Hawthorn.

At Wearmouth, Mr. Stevenfon, preacher in the Methodist Connexion, to Mifs Eliz. Punthon, of Sunderland.

Died.] At Newcastle, the Rev. John Ellifon, 76; upwards of 50 years eurate of the church of St. Nicholas.-Mr. Wm. Weland, attorney. Mrs. Fothergill, widow of Capt. F.-Mr Robert Bulman, eldest son of Mr. B. Mrs. Eliz. Hewitfon, widow of Mr. John H. 88-Mrs. Stamp, wife of Mr. Thoa S-Mrs. Alice Ahworth, 46-Mr. Robert Wilkinson Mrs. Isabella Simpson, wife of Mr. Rob. S. 92.

At Golwick, near Berwick, Thos. Alder, efq. deputy-lieutenant and commiffioner of the Property-tax for Norham and 10landfhire, in the north part of the county of Durham. At Sunderland, Mr. William Hunter, 62. -M, Cuthbert Symm, 72. He had not been out of doors for upwards of 40 years.

At Croniwell, Durham, Mrs. Surtees, wife of Rob. S. efq.

At Highfide near Hexham, where he had been upwards of twenty years a diffenting minister, the Rev. Mr Poole, 60.

At Durham, Mr. Robert Bone, 55. He was fecretary to the provincial grand lodge of Freemasons of the county of Durham, ever fince its establishment in 1788.-Mrs. Spencer, mother of Mr. S. fchoolmafter 80. Mrs. Porter, wife of Mr. P. furgeon in the royal navy.

At Black Hedley, Northumberland, Nicholas Hopper, efq aged 60, in confequence or a fall from his horfe whilft looking over his grounds. Of this gentleman, it may be truly fund, that the character of Pope's Man of Rols was completely exemplified in his conduct.

At Summerhouse, near Darlington, Mrs. Sanderson.

At Berwick, Mrs Gladston, widow of Mr. Robert G.-John Clark, eiq. a confiderable Weft India planter.

At Morpeth, Mifs M. P. Shute. youngdaughter of the Rev. Thomas S-Mr. John Burn, 18.

At Warkworth, John Watfon, efq. major of the northern divifion of the Percy Tenantry Volunteer Riflemen, and formerly major of the 65th regiment, 64.

At Darlington, the Rev. Thos. Morland, more than 50 years, head mafter of the fres grammar fchool there.

CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND.

The following agricultural fact is worthy of notice: On mofs-land at Cattle Head, never before cultivated, were last year grown carrots, which in one fquare yard (tried in feveral parts of the field) weighed 47. Half an acre produced, on the average, 9 tons, 4 cwt. 2 qrs. 16lb. of carrots, which, at 4s. per cwt. would amount to 36/. 18s 6d. The quantity of potatoes growing on four ftatute acres of the fame field was 690 bushels. The rows were four feet afander.

Married.] At Whitehaven, Mr. James Diwfon, to Miis Shepfterd.-Captain Hinde, of the fhip Fortune, to Mifs Corkhill, daugh ter of Capt. C. of Padftow.-Mr. W. Bower, jun. fhip-builder, to Mifs Elizabeth Barker, fecond daughter of Mr Richard B.

At Kendal, Mr. Thomas Parrington, to Mifs Nancy Hannah.

At Gretna-Green, Mr. Siffon, to Mifs Todhunter, both of Penrith.

Died.] At Kickerby, near Carlife, Wm Richardion, efq. 85.

At Hawkefdale, near Carlife, John Pear fon, efq. 42. He was formerly a lieutenant in the 52d regiment of foot, and distinguished himfelf in feveral actions with that corps in the Eat Indies. His focial difpofition, 'wit, and eafy manners, endeared him to a nume rous circle of acquaintance, who lament the lofs of a pleafant companion and an affection. ate friend

At Carlife, Mrs. Sarah Holmes, 75.Mrs. Mary Acton, wife of Mr. Thos. A. 52.

A few days after being delivered of twins, Mrs. Fairbairn-Mrs. Stalker-Mr. Richard Peat, 82.-Mr. James Irving, of the Crown and Mitre tavern. Mrs. Jane Roundel, 37. Mr. John Horniby, 82.

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