Constantinople by the Turks. He is the translator of the Italian Giuseppo Acerbi's travels to the North Cape. It is probable that Signior Acerbi has been induced to form an acquaintance with Dr. Thomson from perusing the political appendixes to the English and Analytical Reviews, some parts of which, but properly digested and made his own by Mr. Acerbi, we find in his observations in Sweden in the history of accademies. And, lastly, we shall mention a small composition of Dr. Thomson's, not only because it appears, though short, to be the most elaborate and finished of all his compositions, but because it leads naturally to the mention of some anecdotes not a little connected with the subject of this biographical sketch. The small treatise alluded to is, the preface or introduction to the history of the trial of Warren Hastings, Esq. published in 1796 by the late Mr. Thomas Wright, who, when he wanted to have any thing nicely done, as he said, was wont to apply to Dr. Thomson, with whom he was long and intimately acquainted, though not without many cautions to read over what he should write, and to do it in his best

manner.

We should have observed, that Dr. Thomson for many years had written the weekly abridgment of politics in the Whitehall Evening Post, of which Mr. Wright was the printer. In the European Magazine, printed also by Mr. Wright, for the first three or four years Dr. Thomson was the principal, and almost the only, writer in the review part. Thus a very close connection between Dr. Thomson and Mr.

Wright was formed, and it was continued till the death of the latter. The proprietors of the Whitehall Evening Post received themselves, and paid Dr. Thomson, many compliments on the weekly abridgement of politics. Among others who warmly expressed their approbation, was the secretary at war, the Right Honourable Mr. Windham, who had before, as well as Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Fox, and others of the coalition ministry, expressed a high opinion of the writings of Thomson, under the signature of Ignotus, in the Political Herald. But Mr. Windham did not know at that time, and probably never knew, that the abridgments were written by no other than his acquaintance Dr. Thomson, who had been introduced to him by Dr. Parr, and who, for some years, was honoured with Mr. Windham's visits and esteem. The Whitehall Evening Post was under the influence of Mr. Pitt. Dr. Thomson, however, wrote just as he thought, and many expostulations, not to say altercations, took place occasionally between Dr. Thomson and the printer and editor, his good friend, Mr. Wright. At length, in the last week in November 1798, Dr. Thomson, in his weekly abridgment of politics, severely arraigned the indifference of government to the horrors of the Clerkenwell jail, particularly the alledged cruelties of Governor Aris, and bestowed proportionable praise on the active benevolence of Sir Francis Burdett. This was past all endurance. Dr. Thomson was dismissed from a department in which, with the labour of an hour or two weekly, he earned fifty-four guineas a year, one

guinea per week, and two guineas for annual sketches at the close of the revolving year.

Lest offence should be given to the readers of the Whitehall, by praising Sir Francis Burdett at the expence of ministry, the next ABRIDGMENT OF POLITICS, Saturday, January 5th, 1799, was prefaced by an intimation that it was by ANOTHER HAND !!!

But to return. Dr. Thomson entertained an carly persuasion that Mr. Hastings, instead of prosecution, deserved splendid fortune, honour, glory, and immortality. For years had he persevered in giving vent in various publications, particularly the English Review, to an indignation which seemed, indeed, to have preyed on his mind, when he was waited on by Mr. Hastings's confidential friend and agent, Major Scott, with an offer to introduce him to Mr. Hastings, who had expressed the greatest satisfaction in seeing occasionally his cause so warmly and impressively defended by a perfect stranger. Dr. Thomson, ambitious, as it would seem, to raise himself still higher in the good opinion of Mr. Hastings, said to the Major, that it was most satisfactory to him to understand that his sentiments and endeavours were known to Mr. Hastings; that he might still say with truth, as he had done, that he had never seen or communicated with Mr. Hastings, he would persevere in the same endeavours till his trial should be decided, which he did with an ardor that seemed every day to encrease. Within a few weeks after the trial, prolonged nearly to the term of the siege of Troy, was over, Major Scott introduced Dr. Thomson to Mr. Hastings, atthe Governor's

Governor's house in Park-Lane. Mr. Hastings received the Doctor with much kindness and respect, and conversed with him long and freely; so also did Mrs. Hastings, of whom Dr. Thomson said, that she both deserved to be, and for beauty, grace, sense, and dignity of manners, seemed in reality to be to be an empress. Mr. and Mrs. Hastings, he said, always recalled to his mind Solomon and the queen of Sheba. Mr. Hastings was not long in returning a visit to Dr. Thomson in Fitzroy Square. He has since honoured him with his correspondence and other marks of favour. Mr. Hastings has often said, that nothing was more pleasing to him, during the whole course of the prosecution, than the sensibility and unsolicited services of Thomson.

Dr. Thomson is a man of a heart as expanded as his head is capacious, and has all the virtues which result from combined fortitude and benevolence. He is extremely friendly, kind, and compassionate, has gone great lengths in relieving pecuniary distress, and has, through his goodness, incurred frequent and considerable losses by loans and securities. His house has often been a refuge to his countrymen when out of regular employment. His hospitality is entirely social and convivial, without any parade. He gives his friends a hearty welcome. He is disposed to indulge very freely in the bottle: but indefatigable industry and prudence restrain this propensity, and he

is

very far from being habitually addicted to this gra tification. Never does William Thomson display the masculine strengh of his mind with more energy than

in

in conversation. His company in a private party, admitting and inciting "the feast of reason and the flow of soul," affords in originality, wisdom, and wit, a treat as high as can be enjoyed by rational nature. He is very candid and unassuming, not seeking to lead the conversation, he manifests the immense and various stores of his mind in his discussions of any subject that happens to be started. A fancy strong and splendid, abounding in imagery, either serious or comic, either grand, beautiful, or grotesque, joins with his multifarious knowledge and the depth of his philosophy in rendering him as delightful as he is instructive. From his great intimacy with Gilbert Stuart, and some other circumstances, Thomson has been supposed unfriendly to religion. That he is strictly and scrupulously orthodox it would be rashness to affirm; but no man can have juster or grander views of natural theology, can more thoroughly comprehend the Christian system, or more highly esteem it as a moral code. As a wise man, Dr. Thomson values religion as a most powerful principle of conduct, and neither his writings nor conversation have ever attacked real piety, though both often expose very forcibly and justly the absurdities of superstition and fanaticism, the folly of spiritual pride, or the wickedness of hypocrisy. One quality which pervades both his writings and conversation is good humour. He never shews spleen, acrimony, or spite. Though frequently severe, his is the severity of strength, not of malignity.

Dr. Thomson is somewhat under the middle size,