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Now for the fruits, then-flow forth precious spring,

So long and dearly sought for-and now bring
Comfort to all that love thee: sweetly sing,

And with thy crystal murmurs struck together,
Bid all thy true well-wishers welcome hither!

At which words the flood-gate opens, and the stream is let into the cistern-drums and trumpets giving it triumphant welcome, and a peal of chambers for this their honourable entertainment." Scarcely ever has there been a public concern of greater utility.

Close to this River Head is the Islington Spa, or New Tunbridge Wells. The spring, which is of a ferruginous nature, was discovered by one Sadler, in 1683; it is in the midst of a small garden, fancifully laid out, where the citizens drank tea, by way of recreation. The well was famed for extraordinary cures, and styled the Holy Well, previous to the Reformation. Sadler's Wells, only a few yards distant from the garden, derives its name from the above spring-here musical interludes and pantomimes are exhibited in the summer season, under the superintendence of the ingenious Mr. Charles Dibdin, the machinery of which is managed with uncommon dexterity.

At ISLINGTON many literary men have closed their days. Here Daniel Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe, died in 1731; the eccentric Alexander Cruden, author of an excellent Concordance, in 1770; and in 1775, James Burgh, author of Political Disquisitions, and the Dignity of Human Nature.

ALEXANDER CRUDEN.

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Defoe was an extraordinary character; he was an hosier, but having a literary turn he wrote an astonishing number of books, and took a very active part in promoting the Union of Scotland. He once stood in the pillory, for a political offence, and the next day published an Hymn to the Pillory, as the only place where honest men made their appearance in those days. His True-born Englishman has great humour in it, and among other cutting things he ridicules the pride of Englishmen; for they are, says he, of so mixed a descent, that when the gospel was introduced here, the promise of our Saviour was fulfilled, that "the gospel should be preached to all the world!" Though Defoe died at Islington, he was not interred here, as the late Mr. Biggerstaff assured me, who by my request examined the records of the parish,-it was merely with me a matter of curiosity. Poor Cruden was frequently insane, but it always took a benevolent turn, by which he once saved a poor wretch from the gallows. His application to certain Scotchmen then in power was attended to, and he afterwards attempted the culprit's conversion. Cruden was found dead on his knees; indeed his benevolence was exceeded only by his piety. Burgh (author of an excellent treatise, entitled the Dignity of Human Nature) had been a most laborious man in the education of youth at Newington-green; and to the last, though sorely afflicted, wrote, though supported by pillows, in behalf of the civil and religious liberties of mankind. The names of such men should be preserved; " not one of these

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NEWINGTON GREEN.

shall perish;" the remembrance of Patriots does the heart good, and their memorial should descend to posterity.

Having mentioned Newington Green, it may not be improper to remark that this pleasant and retired little spot is situated about half way between Islington and Stoke Newington. It is of quadrangular form, with some good houses, inhabited by persons, several of whom belong to the mercantile world. It was for many years the residence of Richard Price, D. D. F. R. S. who officiated at that time in the little chapel on the north side of the Green. He was a countryman of mine, a native of the principality of Wales, and died, 1791, in the 69th of his age. year His tracts on Civil and Religious Liberty, his Review of Morals, his Dissertations on Providence and Prayer, and his Sermons, reflect the highest honour on his talents and piety. His Life has been lately published by his nephew William Morgan, Esq. who has also given to the world a posthumous volume of his uncle's sermons, which detract not from his former reputation. My friend the Rev. James Gilchrist, is now morning preacher of this chapel, which is respectably attended. Mr. G. is known as the author of a Rational Grammar and other publications, which, on account of their originality and boldness, have excited attention. From the Green there is a pleasant foot-path leading at the distance of a short mile to the rural village of Stoke Newington, the residence of persons of respectability and of literary renown of the latter

STOKE NEWINGTON.

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respectability, and of literary renown. Of the latter description are the intelligent and indefatigable Dr. John Aikin, and his sister, Mrs. Barbauld. The former has just finished his Biographical Dictionary, in conjunction with the Rev. Thomas Morgan (ten volumes quarto), a work of immense labour and of inestimable utility. The latter is well known by her Hymns for Children, and her Poems, as well as a defence of Public Worship, in reply to a pamphlet written by the late learned Gilbert Wakefield. Dr. Aikin and Mrs. Barbauld are also the joint authors of that delectable little work Evenings at Home, a fund of rational entertainment. In this village may be seen a handsome mansion (belonging to the Lord of the Manor), within whose walls the great and good Dr. Isaac Watts breathed his last, 1748, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He lies interred in Bunhill-fields, where a tomb is raised, with an appropriate inscription, to his memory. He has likewise a small monument in Westminster Abbey. The church of Stoke Newington is a neat structure, with a cemetry crowded with the ordinary memorials of mortality. Here are places of worship for the dissenters, one of which is an ancient building, where officiated many years ago the Rev. Martin Tomkins, who published a book entitled the Mediator, a work full of good sense and moderation, tending to abate the fury of controversy. At the western entrance into Newington the New River meanders along throughout verdant meadows, with no inconsiderable beauty. But begging you, my

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young friend, to forgive this digression, I must return to close my account of Islington.

At ISLINGTON are many respectable schools for youth of both sexes; indeed a healthier spot (and in a system of liberal education, the body as well as the mind must be considered) cannot be found in the kingdom.

A canal from Paddington to the West India Docks, near Limehouse, is now carrying forwards, passing beneath Islington onwards to Bethnal Green. The gliding vessel may add to the picturesqueness of the scenery.

The salubrity of the air at Islington has long rendered it the resort of valetudinarians. Near a century ago, Addison visited this place for his health, and dates one of his inimitable papers in the Spectator from Islington. Standing high, its inhabitants overlook the fields spotted with cattle, a circumstance which heightens the beauty of rural scenery. In the back ground are seen the hills of Hampstead and of Highgate; and, in the front, beside the eastern portion of the city of London, Kent and Surrey rear their eminences to advantage. In this prospect, on a clear day, Shooter's Hill, with its tower and telegraph, constitutes a pleasing object; whilst the white sails of ships gliding along the surface of the Thames, silvered o'er by the reflection of the sun's rays, enliven the scene, and remind us of that commerce which renders the British metropolis the glory and wonder of the world!

Cowper, in his John Gilpin, has these expres

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