His

P. 588. Dr. Biffet was a native of North Britain, and born at Glenalbert, near Dunkeld, in Perthshire, in the year 1717. father was by profeffion a lawyer, and was efteemed to understand the Scotch law and the Latin language as well as any man in the kingdom. In a letter written fome years fince, after obferving that many persons who had heard of his having published a work on fortifications were at a lofs how to reconcile the medical with the military character, and were inclined to believe that he had not a regular education in the me of his profesfion, he wifhed to have it made known, that, after a proper courfe of medical studies at Edinburgh, he was appointed, in 1740, fecond furgeon to the Military-hofpital in Jamaica, and spent feveral years in the West India iflands, and in Admiral Vernon's fleet, to fee and know the difeafes of the Torrid zone. The phyfician who ftudies Nature to record her hiftory of diseases, with their fymptoms and natural and accidental terminations, whatever his fuccefs may be as a medical practitioner, may juftly be faid militare non fine gloria. His obfervations are not of lefs value to pofterity than thofe of the cautious and expert navigator who plans and chalks out the unknown thore. Having, in 1745, contracted a bad ftate of health at New Greenwich in Jamaica, he was under the neceffity of refigning his place of fecond furgeon to his Majefty's hofpital there, in order to return to England, for the recovery of it. In May, 1746, he purchased an enfigncy in the 42d regiment, commanded by the Right Hon. Lord John Murray and by this tranfition, his attention being turned from the medical to the military line, fortification became his favourite study. After a fruitless defcent on the coaft of Brittany in France, in Septen ber, 1746, and paffing a winter very agreeably at Limerick in Ireland, they were, in the beginning of the next campaign, brought into action at Sandberg, near Hult, in Dutch Flanders, where one Dutch regiment and two of ours, fuffered very much.

Hav

ing drawn a sketch of the enemy's approaches there, with the environs, and, fome time after, a pretty correct one of Bergen-op-Zoom, with the permanent lines, the environs, and the enemy's first parallel, which were presented by Lord John Murray to his Royal Highness the late Duke of Cumberland, his Royal Highness was pleased to order him to attend the fiege of that fortrefs, and give due attention daily to the progress of the attack, and to the defence, in order to take accurate journals of them; thus conferring on him a diftinguished honour, of which with diffidence he accepted. Thefe journals, illuftrated with plans, were delivered daily to Lord John Murray, who forwarded them every fecond or third day, hy exprefs, to his Royal Highness the Duke, who was then at Maestricht, at the head of the allied army, obferving the motion of the

French army under Marshal Saxe. Having faithfully performed that duty, his Royal Highness was pleased to express his approbation by recommending Enfign Biffet to his Grace the late Duke of Montague, who was then mafter-general of the ordnance, and who honoured him with a warrant as engineer extraordinary in the brigade of engi neers which was established to ferve in the Low Countries during the war; and he was alfo promoted to a lieutenancy in the army. The brigade of engineers being re-formed at the end of the war, and Dr. B. being at the fame time put upon the half-pay lift as lieutenant, he continued to employ great part of his time in the study of fortification; and in 1751, after vifiting France, published his book "On the Theory and Construction of Fortifications," 8vo: and, in fome time after, being unemployed, he refumed his former profeffion in the medical line, in which he had been regularly educated. Being thin, and of a weakly conftitution, Dr. B. chofe to refide in a healthy village, for the fake of retirement and the benefit of a falubrious air, and retired to the village of Skelton, in Cleveland, Yorkshire, where, and in that neighbourhood, he ever after continued. In 1755, when a French war was impending, he publifhed "A Treatife on the Scurvy, with Remarks on the Cure of Scorbutic Ulcers," in 162 octavo pages, dedicated to Lord Anfon and the rest of the Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty.' In 1762 was published his "Effay on the Medical Conftitution of Great Britain," in 344 octavo pages, dedicated to Sir John Pringle, Bart. M.D.; in which is thewn the effects of the change of weather, and of the feasons, on the diseases of this country, particularly of the duchy of Cleveland: from all which obfervations it appears, that the low, clayey land of this rich wheaten country, in fpite of its vernal and autumnal intermittents, is not the most unhealthy fpot in the ifland. At the conclufion is an interefting paper on the virtues of the Helleborafter Maximus Ger bardi, the Great Bastard Black Hellebore, or Bear's-foot, in the cure of worms in general, but principally the round worm, found in the stomachs of children, as well as of grown people. In 1765 the University of St. Andrew were pleased to honour him with the degree of M. D. In 1766 he published a volume of "Medical Effays and Obfervations," Newcastle, 8vo, 304 pages, containing 22 papers on the climate and diseases of the West Indies; also, fome chronical difeafes of this country, particularly the hooping-cough, fcorbutic itch, and many chirurgical remarks, which fhew a mind bent on promoting the improvement of his profeffion. A few years ago, he depofited in the library of the infirmary at Leeds a MS. of medical obfervations, in octavo, containing near 700 pages; which was politely received by the phyficians and furgeons of that infirmary, who honoured him

with their thanks. The Doctor alfo prefented a treatise on fortification to his Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales, which is depofited in his private library; and published a fmall tract on the naval art of war; which, with a few political papers, and MSS. now in Mrs. Billet's poffeffion (from which most of the above facts are taken) containing 97 new plans, are nearly the whole of Dr. Biffet's works, both in print and manufcript.

P. 685, col. 1. The late Dr. Abercrombie, of York, has bequeathed 3000l. equally betwixt Heriot's hospital and the Royal infirmary at Edinburgh, after his widow's death.

P. 874, col 1, 1. 41, read "On the 22d of August died at Gottingen, after an illness of nine weeks, the celebrated JOHN-DAVID MICHAELIS, profeffor of philosophy and the Oriental languages in the University of Gottingen, in the 76th year of his age. An account of his numerous and valuable literary productions will be given in a future Magazine. We hear that Profeffor Tychfen has undertaken to revise his manuscripts, and is expected to publish his pofthumous works."

P. 876, col. 2. Strike out lines 49, 50; and, 1. 52, add, Dr. F. was a native of Oxford (born in July, 1711), father of that city, and fenior Doctor of the Univerity, having been early entered at Chrift Church, Oxford, where he acted as chaplain, and proeeeded M. A. in 1733. Thence he removed to Hartford College, and took the degrees of B.D. and D.D. 1744. In 1742 he was chofen lecturer of St. James, Garlickhithe. In 1747, being the vice-principal of St. Albanhall, he was elected master of the grammarfchool of St. Saviour, Southwark. He held the vicarage of Runcorne, in Cheshire, 1750; was prefented, by the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, to the vicarage of Eatt Coker, co. Somerfet, 1756; in 1763 was chosen lecturer of Newington in Surrey; and had alfo the Thurfday lecture of St. Mary at Hill, which was founded by Sir J. Leman, bart. He printed 1. A Sermon on the Being and Providence of God, preached before the University of Oxford, July 8, 1739. 2. A Sermon at the fame place, Nov. 5, 1745; when the Rebels were advancing to Derby. 3. Twelve Sermons preached before the University of Oxford, printed in 1750, 8vo.; with a preface, tending to expofe fome remarkably bad practices both in church and state. 4. An Antigallican Sermon, preached at Aldgate, before Admiral Vernon, 27 April, 1753 (XXIII. 251); and a fecond Antiga'lican Sermon, preached in 1756, upon the Terms of National Unanimity; with a genealogical Table, fhewing his Majefty's antient Connexions with the Crowns of thefe Kingdoms long antecedent in Time to the Marriage of his Ancestor with the Stuart Family; one on Whit-Sunday, 1756, before the University of Oxford. Two Sermons upon the Creation; the first intituled, "The Operations of God and Nature, &c. to the Finishing of the Vege

table Creation, and Appointment of the Sea. sous of the Year, before the Florists,” 2d edit; the other, "The Analysis of Man; or, The Difference between the Reasonable and Living Soul; which was preached before the Univerfity of Oxford, May 20, 1764;” 2d elit. with the Advertisement which was prefixed to the first, and the Dedication to the KingPolitical Sermons, Speeches, and Difcourfes, collected into one Volume; and among thefe is a Sermon, preached by the Appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, before the Univerfity of Oxford, when the Rebels were advanced to Derby, dedicated to his Royal Highness William late Duke of Cumberland, who was fent as General againft them-A fermon, in 1768, on the murder of Mr. Allen, who was shot in the riots before the King's Bench prifon, May roth that year; and a fecond, in 1769, on the fame occafion He alfo published "The Monthly Reviewers reviewed by an Antigallican, 1755" (fee our vol. XXV. p. 335). "Odet. the King of Pruifia" (XXVII. 228). "Extempore Verfes on the Choice of a Poet Laureat" (ibid. 564). Will the Ferry-man, a Water Eclogue" (XXVIII. 280). Translation of fome French Verfes on the Death of Captain Gardner (ibid. 371). Sermons: before the University of Oxford, on Act-Sunday, 1743 (XIII. 112, XIV. 48); Jan. 30, 1753 (XXIII. 1. 3). Poems and Mifcellaneous Pieces, 1751 (XXI. 143). Speech on taking his Freedom of the City of Oxford, 1753 (XXIII. 394). Seafonable Reflections upon the Importance of the Name of England, 1755 (XXV. 191). Sentiments of an Antigallican (XXVI 43). Of his controversy with Mr. Jones, chaplain of St. Saviour, Southwark, begun by his "Rules to difcover Falfe Prophets," fee Jones's Letter to him (XXIX. 35); his Remarks on Jones's Letter to him, dedicated to Bishop Hoadley (ibid. 183); and Anfwer to them by a Layman (ibid). See, in our vol. LVIII. p. 381, his Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, with a fourth edition of his "Hiftory of the English Tongue," and fome anecdotes of his own life.

Since the foregoing lift was compiled, the following additions to it have been communicated by his fon.

GRAMMATICAL. "Hiftory of the English Tongue, with the Author's intended Dedication to his Royal Highness Prince George, now King George III. Part I. printed 1749, and containing an Account, I. Of the Roman or Latin Tongue, as once (poken in Britain. II. Of the British or Welth, and its antient and prefent Limits, III. Of the Pyhtas, cor ruptly called Picts by the Romans: their Settlement in the North of Britain: the Ori. ginal of their Name, and the Nature, Extent, and Duration of their Language. IV. Of the Scots from Ireland, and the Extent of the Erfe Language; in order to distinguish it from the English in the North of Britaing which vulgarly paffes under the Name of Broad

Per tramites perplexos iter, et ad quodvis Divorticulum crebri laquei et infidiæ locantur, Atque poft infinitum molimen Spei perpetua fruftratio :-Qui cruciatus!

Patet, igitur, in hunc orbem eo fine inducimur, Semper aliquid pati;

Et, quod maximum inter homines Habitum eft, et nominatum fupplicium,Patiendo mori.

Nonne hæc eft pœna per totum, Quando Mors, cujus causâ nafcimur, Ut fupremum et grande officium ultionis Coronat opus?

Cur ita comparatum eft, aut quam ob caufam
Huc venimus puniendi ? An in hanc vitam
Ex aliâ vitâ et naturà profecti fumus? An-
Sed melius eft intactas relinquere
Quæftiones tam difficiles:-DEus noverit,
Hominem verò puto fcire nullum.
Abi, Viator:

Nam adhuc calcanda tibi femita tortuofa vitæ :
Repone animo, et converte, fi potes, in tuum

Sept. 22. The Princess, confort to his Royal Highness the Prince of Denmark, a prince, who was immediately baptized by the name of Chriftian, but expired after a fhort life of feven hours.

27. Mrs. Tory, wife of Mr. T. gardener, of Dike, in the parish of Bourn, co. Lincoln, three children (two girls and a boy).

Lately, at Moira caftle, in Ireland, the Countess of Granard, a fon.

08. 3. At Dalford, near Namptwich, in Cheshire, the Lady of Henry Augustus Leieefter, efq. a fon.

5. At Twickenham, the Lady of Nathaniel Davifon, efq. late conful-general at Algiers, a daughter.

6. At his Lordship's houfe in Binfield-vale, Berks, Lady Kinnaird, a daughter.

9. At the houfe of her father, Anthony Todd, efq. at Walthamstow, Lady Lauderdale, a daughter.

10. Hon. Mrs. Hay, of Newhall, a daugh. 12. At Philorth, Lady Saltoun, a fon. 13. At Wells, the Lady of the Hon. David Anstruther, a daughter.

14. At Bramhope-hall, co. York, the Lady of Tho. Wybergh, esq. a fon.

16. Hon. Mrs. Drummond, of Perth, a fen. 17. In Ruffel-ftreet, Upper Charlotte-ftr. the Lady of Rob. Adamfon, efq. a daughter.

In Great Cumberland-street, Fortman-íqu. the Lady of James Musgrave, efq a fon.

19. At Hampton-court-palace, the Lady of Thomas Farquier, efq. a fon.

20. At Foxdenton, near Manchester, Lady Mary Horton, a daughter.

22. At his houfe in Bolton-street, the Lady of R. Brooke Supple, efq. a fon.

27. At his Lordship's houfe in Saville-row, the Countess Delawar, a fon.

Aug.

A

MARRIAGES.

T St. Petersburg, Mr. Francis Fer 31. refter, merchant, to Mifs Barts, eldest dau. of Peter B. efq. of St. Petersburg. Sept.... Andrew Douglafs, M. D. of Savile-row, and brother-in-law of the celebrated Mifs Carter, of Deal (fee vol. LX. p. 478), formerly furgeon at Sandwich, Kent, to Mrs. Beauvoir, only daughter and heiress of Fane William Sharpe, eiq. M.P. for Callington, in Cornwall (XLI. 475), and widow, by a lecond marriage, of Olmond Beauvoir, D. D. (LIX. 672), formerly mafter of the freefchool at Canterbury.

12. At Drumlanrig caftle, in Dumfriesfhire, Charles Granville Stuart Monteath, efq. of Clofeburn, to Mifs Ludivinia Lough man, eldest daughter of the late Tho. L. eiq. merchant, of London.

17. Mr. Leake, watch-maker, Enfield, to Mifs Lee, of Shoreditch, with 3000l. fortune.

19. At Hacconby, Linc. Mr. Caffwall, of Rippingale, to Mrs. Hodgkins, of Stainfield. 22. Mr. Green, attorney, of Ayliffe street, Goodman's-fields,to Mifs Ackroyd,of Stepney.

23. Geo. Harrison, efq. of Lincoln's-inn, to Mifs Bunting, of Middleton-lodge, co. York.

24. At Denton, near Newhaven, Suffolk, Mr. Geo. Ellifon, attorney, of Crane-court, Fleet-ftreet, to Mifs Mary Nares, of Jamesftreet, Westminster.

26. At Martock, Mr. John Weftcott, to Mifs Wood, of Milton, Somerset.

27. At Exeter, Wm. Paget, M. D. to Miís Doubleday, daughter of the late Rob. D. efq. 28. At Norwich, Wm. Utten, efq. fecre tary to the Bishop of that dioc. to Mrs. Leech.

29. At Berlin, his Royal Highness the Duke of York, to the Princefs Frederique-Char lotte-Ulrique-Catherine, eldest daughter of the King of Prussia.

30. Geo. Nixon, efq. of Devonshire-fqua. to Mifs Stokes, of King-ftr. Covent-garden. Lately, at Liverpool, Mr. Bartholomew Prescott, merch. to Mifs Rogers, dau. of the late Mr. Tho. R. proctor, at Bangor.

At Llanwenog, co. Cardigan, Grithth Williams, efq. of Wormwood-grove, co. Carmarthen, to Mifs Evans, of Highmead, Cardigan.

Mr. Thompson, of Sutton, to Mifs Fanny Wilkins, of Fairlawn, Bedforfhire.