aid which he collected for this work appeared sufficiently by the library he left, and which was sold by auction after his death. Few collections are more copious in early literature. A part of his undertaking was published in 1807, containing words under the letter A, by which it appeared that the author's plan, including Scotch words, was more extensive than originally intended. The encouragement given to this specimen was not, however, sufficient to induce his relatives to publish more.

Mr. Boucher was a patriot in the best sense of the word: he was ever anxious to promote the happiness of his fellow countrymen; and, in many instances personally contributed, either by pecuniary or literary exertions, to meliorate the condition of society.

Mr. Boucher died at Epsom, April 27, 1804, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. He was an honorary Member of the Edinburgh Society of Antiquaries, and of the Stirling Literary Society.

I cannot better close this account than by copying a letter received from Westerham, from an old and valuable correspondent:

"MR. URBAN,

Westerham, Aug. 17, 1804. Having been accustomed for several years past, or, according to the phraseology of the present day, in the habit of making frequent visits at the house of a friend at Epsom, to whose kind hospitality I am indebted for this habit, I have, in the course of these visits, become personally acquainted with several families in that place; among whom, I have occasionally had the pleasure of meeting the late Vicar, to whose memory I wish to pay my tribute of respect, if you think the inclosed lines, which were written in his life-time, in any degree worthy of their subject.

"His manner of preaching was impressive, and most of the sermons I have heard him deliver were particularly interesting to me; indeed, of late, they have borne frequent allusions to the declining state of his health; and, as we advance in years and infirmities, our approach to a future state of being becomes every day a matter of more serious consideration. The lines which I transcribe for your poetical department, were suggested by a sermon on the text which I have prefixed, delivered in the

autumn of 1802, but were composed after hearing him again, last autumn, on a subject nearly similar, but not so strikingly appropriate, when his leaf was faded, and so near its fall.

66

Yours, &c.

W. B."

Written on a fine Autumnal evening in 1803, at Epsom in Surrey, after hearing a Sermon appropriate to the season preached by the Rev. Jonathan Boucher, late Vicar of that parish, who was then in a declining state of health.

"We all do fade as a leaf." ISAIAH, lxiv. 6.

The fading foliage of the grove
Its varied tints displays;

The Prophet's sacred pen declares,
Man as a leaf decays.

Our verdant Spring, our Summer gone,

Now Autumn's pensive call

Tells us the period is arrived

When thus we fade and fall.

See the impressive Preacher stand
This lesson to enforce ;

The trembling voice, the drooping head,
Say life has run its course.

The pallid cheek, the form reduc'd,

An awful change disclose;

Nature's exhausted powers approach

Their long and last repose.

And when those powers in him shall cease
To plead Religion's cause,

Will his remember'd virtues claim
Their high and just applause.

Oh! may his final hour be pass'd
Like this Autumnal day!

His setting sun go down as clear,
As mild its parting ray!

W. B.

Letters from and respecting the Rev. J. BOUCHER.

1. The Rev. JONATHAN BOUCHER, to Mr. NICHOLS,

Oct. 30, 1780,

"SIR, "Not long since, I happened to pick up at a stall a little collection of MS. poems; all, I believe, of the last age. Not being

curiously read in things of this sort, I cannot take upon me to say whether any, or all of them have been, or are in print; but, if they are, it is possible they may be scarce. They seem to have been transcribed; and though there be no title nor date, they are said to have been written by Beaumont, Donne, William Browne, Walton, Poole, George Lucy, Ben Jonson, Lord Clifford, R. Corbett, Sir John Harington, &c. &c. Many of them, no doubt, are trash; but some seem to have merit; and I am persuaded they all are by the persons whose names they bear. By some private marks, I suspect they have already been in the hands of some compiler. The volume is bound, ornamented finely, and gilt, and has the letters M. W. on the back.

"As I know no man more likely to make a good use of it, if there be any usefulness in it, it seems to be as little as a lover of literature, and one who wishes to encourage it can do, to make you an offer of the MS. I am sorry my engagements and employments are such as lay me under a necessity of giving you the trouble of sending for the book, if you should happen, from the short account I have given you of it, to think it worth your further enquiry. Or, as it may not be worth even so much trouble, I will, if your collection be not already completed, and you request it, send it to you; with a request only, that I may have it back again.

"I assure myself, you will, in consideration of the motive, excuse this trouble in an entire stranger, who, however is, Sir, "Your most obedient, and most humble servant.

2. "SIR,

JONATHAN BOUCHER."

Paddington, Nov. 11, 1780.

Though I should have reproached myself for not having given so ingenious a collector an opportunity of examining my little MS., I cannot think of giving you the trouble of sending for a thing which, after all, may be of no value.

་

Having but lately had any opportunity of gratifying a curiosity about old poetry, I am as much at a loss to say whether another old tattered volume, which I take the liberty of sending you also, is common. He seems to be but a very poor and low poet; yet, you will find, in his Parley with his Cloak,' and the Panegyric on Red Noses,' a sort of wit not uncharacteristical of his age. These attracted my notice; and, indeed, they give one no bad idea of the manners then in vogue with the jolly cavaliers.

I will endeavour, in the approaching Christmas vacation, to find some moment of leisure, when I may do myself the pleasure of calling on you. I am, Sir,

"Your most obedient humble servant,

J. BOUCHER."

3.

Epsom, Oct. 14, 1792. "The Rev. Mr. Boucher presents his respectful compliments to Mr. Nichols, and, after begging the favour of a place in the Magazine of the enclosed communications, takes the further liberty to request, that any answers to his queries, not intended to be printed, may be addressed to him at Epsom.

"Mr. Boucher supposes W. Harrison to have been the son of some Cumberland Harrison, beneficed from Queen's in Hampshire, where most of their livings are, and thence to have gone to Winchester School, and to New College. By the list of Oxford Graduates, he appears to have taken a Law Degree in 1665: is not that early for the W. Harrison in question? If it was our Harrison, he must needs have been an old man, when he died in 1712; a circumstance we are not prepared to expect from Swift's manner of mentioning him.

"There is a tolerable account of Seed in Goadby's book; but of Reay, none but Dr. Church's Preface to his Sermons.

"As Mr. Nichols has been much employed in similar enquiries, Mr. Boucher flatters himself with the hopes of essential assistance, from his well-known abilities in this way, and no less well-known readiness to promote all useful knowledge."

4. The Rev. ROBERT GUTCH to Mr. NICHOLS. "DEAR SIR,

Epsom, Jan. 28, 1802.

"Mr. Boucher is publishing the Prospectus of the Glossarial work, on which, I believe, you have heard he has been long engaged, and to make it as generally known as possible, wishes his proposals to be inserted in some of the monthly publications; but, being unacquainted with the method of obtaining such a favour, has desired me to request your friendly assistance, and permission to insert them in your next Magazine. The Prospectuses have been printed by Mr. Hansard; and Sir F. Eden, who has directed the printing of them, will transmit them to you, if you will be pleased to bind them with the whole or any part of your impression. If there should be any expence attending the sewing them with your books, or any other part of their publication, you will have the goodness to make Mr. Boucher acquainted with it; and to communicate any other directions which you may think likely to promote the circulation of his papers. I am, Sir,

"Your obedient humble servant,

R. GUTCH."

5. Dr. JAMIESON to Mr. NICHOLS. "DEAR SIR, Edmonton, March 9, 1802. "When you look at the subscription of this letter, you may perhaps have forgot the name, although I have had the pleasure

*See before, p. 552.

of seeing you frequently in your own house. You will recollect me better as of Forfar, than as now residing in Edmonton. At any rate, if you take the trouble of looking into the thirty-sixth Number of your own valuable publication, the Bibliotheca Topographica, it will bring me to remembrance.

I have for many years been engaged in composing an Etymological Dictionary of the Scotish Language. Mr. Boucher and I corresponded for a considerable time, on the idea of conjoining our Works; but we did not coincide in our views. As he has published his Prospectus, my literary friends here think that I owe it to myself and a numerous family, to take the same step, that the public may choose as they judge proper. As far as I understand the state of matters, from the course of correspondence, I suppose we are nearly on a footing as to readiness and that both will need a considerable respite before we can face the public.

"As Mr. Boucher has got his Prospectus stitched up with your Gentleman's Magazine, I hope you will grant me the same favour. I have accordingly desired my friend Mr. Somerville to deliver this, that he may know what number of copies will be necessary; as I wish to throw out no expence, on an uncertain ground, that may possibly be avoided.

"I wished, if possible, to have had them ready for insertion in the number for this month, but could not accomplish it. I would be greatly disappointed if they were too late for your next number. Any thing that is usually given on these occasions my friend will advance for me.

"Mr. Boucher's Work and mine † may probably be found to

* This number contains "Remarks on the Progress of the Roman Army, in Scotland, during the sixth campaign of Agricola, by the Earl of Buchan; with a Plan and Description of the Camp at Rae Dykes, also an account of the Roman Camps of Battle Dykes and Haerfauds, with the Via Militaris extending between them, in the County of Forfar, by the Rev. Mr. Jamieson."

+ Dr. Jamieson's valuable labours were given to the publick in 1810, in two volumes 4to, under the title of "An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language; illustrating the words in their different significations, by examples from antient and modern writers, shewing their affinity to those of other languages, and especially the Northern; explaining many terms, which, though now obsolete in England, were formerly common to both Countries, and elucidating national rights, customs, and institutions, in their analogy to those of other nations; to which is prefixed, a Dissertation on the Origin of the Scottish Language. By John Jamieson, D. D., F. R.S. Ed, and F. S. A. S." This publication produced several able Letters on the subject, from the pen of John Sherwen, M. D. then resident at Bath. See the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. LXXXI. part i. pp. 426. 523. 611. Part ii. pp. 24. 119. 221. LXXXII. part ii. p. 628.

Dr. Jamieson, in 1795, published, 1. “An Alarm to Britain, or an enquiry into the causes of the rapid progress of Infidelity," 12mo, and in the same year, 2. "A Vindication of the Doctrine of Scripture, and of the Primitive Faith, concerning the Deity of Christ; in reply to Dr.