the well-known friend of Lord MELVILLE, was a Purchaser, to the Amount of nearly 30,000l.

In the Number of Men of Science and Abilities, some of them pre-eminently distinguished, may be recorded, that exalted STATESMAN, WILLIAM CECIL, afterwards, Baron BURLEIGH, (whose Loyalty to his SOVEREIGN, and unbiassed Patriotism, preserved the religious Establishment, and civil Policy of this KINGDOM, from falling a Prey to despotic Tyranny, and Papal Superstition,) was born at BOURNE in this County, Anno, 1520. Having filled some of the most important Situations, and guided the Helm of State, during the most critical and glorious Period of ENGLISH HISTORY, he died in August 1598. CAMDEN, in his Annals, observes, "He was one of those Few, who lived and died, with equal Glory. Such a Man as, while others regard with Admiration, I, after the ancient Manner, rather contemplate with silent and religious Veneration."

At COLSTERWORTH in this County, at the Manor House of Wools-thorpe, was born, Anno 1642, that LUMINARY, Sir ISAAC NEWTON;

in the Year 1665, having retired to his own Estate, on Account of the Plague, the falling of an APPLE from a Tree in his Garden, first suggested his System of GRAVITY; and it is singular, that he laid the Foundation of nearly all his Discoveries, before he was twenty-five Years of Age, and communicated them, in loose Tracts and Letters, to the Royal Society. Upon his Celebrity as a MATHEMATICIAN, it is needless to enlarge, the general Suffrage of an applauding WORLD, has raised a Monument to his Fame, which even the Hand of TIME, will not impair. He died in March 1726-7. The Manor House, now the Property of EDMUND TURNOR, Esq. is still standing.

"Here NEWTON dawn'd, here lofty Wisdom woke,
And to a wond'ring World divinely spoke.

If TULLY glowed, when PHEDRUS' Steps he trod,
Or Fancy form'd Philosophy a GOD;

If Sages still for HOMER'S Birth contend,

The Sons of SCIENCE at this DOME must bend.
All hail the Shrine! all hail the natal Day;
CAM boasts his Noon, this Cor his Morning Ray."

Sir ISAAC NEWTON, had a thorough Belief in REVELATION, and was diligent in studying, and explaining, the Prophetical SCRIP

TURES. Dr. HALLEY was an Unbeliever, and was once speaking freely on the Subject of Revelation, when Sir ISAAC pointedly said to him," Dr.. HALLEY, I am always glad to hear you, when you speak about Astronomy, and other Parts of Mathematics, because THOSE are Subjects, which you well understand; but you should not talk of CHRISTIANITY, for you have not studied it; I have, and know you are entirely ignorant of the Matter."

JOHN Fox, the Author of the Book of MARTYRS, and other Publications, was born at BOSTON, Anno 1517, and WILLIAM STUKELY, whose Name and Memory are respected, by every Lover of English ANTIQUITIES, was born at HOLBEACH, in November, 1687.

His early Writings presaged, what might justly be expected in maturer Life. He had a Sagacity peculiar to great Genius, joined with unwearied Industry, and was called, on account of his profound Knowledge of Antiquities, the "ARCH-DRUID of his Age," he died in his Seventy-eighth Year, March, 1765.

Middlesex.

Much has been formerly said, respecting the Fish and Fishing of the THAMES, and also of the great Importance this noble River is, to the METROPOLIS. By Statute of the Fourth, HENRY VII. Anno 1489, the MAYOR of LONDON, having the Conservation of the River THAMES, from the Bridge of STAINES, to the Waters of Yendall and Medway, shall have like Authority in Breaches, Issues, and Creeks, and Grounds overflown, so far as the Water ebbeth and floweth, as touching Punishment, for any unlawful Nets or Engines in Fishing, like as his PREDECESSORS had, in the River THAMES; provided, that the Lord MAYOR of London, have not the Conservation of the said. Breaches and Grounds overflown, within the KING'S Grounds, or within FRANCHISES of any Person.

Of late Years, the Fishermen so completely swept away the Fish with their Nets, as to occasion Entreaty and Remark, as follows, "A Petition is said to have been presented

to the Lord MAYOR, on the part of the Inhabitants of RICHMOND, requesting, that Fishermen may be prevented from following their Occupation, above RICHMONd Bridge, in order that the Fish may be preserved for Anglers. If this be true, we are almost sorry, that his LORDSHIP cannot do more, than reject so unreasonable a Petition. It is asked, that, in a public River, Fishing shall be forbidden to industrious, hard-working Men, who earn their living by lawful Labour, carried on without Cruelty, in order that Idlers may, by torturing a Worm upon a Hook, obtain the Triumph and self-complacency, of having deceived a gudgeon or a roach!”

The Beauties and Usefulness of the THAMES, have been almost an endless Theme, we shall here describe, how it has contributed at various Eras, to the Amusement of Thousands, when in a frozen State. In the Frost 1715-16, this Advertisement appeared, "This is to give Notice to Gentlemen and others, that pass upon the THAMES during this Frost, that over against Whitehall-stairs, they may have their Names printed, fit to paste in any Book, to hand down the Memory of the SEASON to future Ages.