ΤΟ GENTRY, MERCHANTS, FARMERS and TRADESMEN: Also of the STAGE New OPERAS PLAYS and ORATORIOS, Published Monthly according to Act of Parliament, Price Six Pence. PREFACE. HE commencement of a new volume with a new TH calls upon year, the thankful Editors of the UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE to ftep forward in a customary annual addrefs to their numerous Readers. Confiftent with the obligations they are under in momentous times of enlarging in the number and extent of hostile narrations, and difcuffions of political fubjects, particularly when points of national importance are agitated in Parliament, and draw, the attention of the public; they, nevertheless, flatter themselves, that the volumes for the preceding year, have rather exceeded, that fallen short of, any before them, in the selection and mifcellaneous variety of inftructive and amufing articles. Endeavours fhall not be wanting to go on in a progreffive train of improvement in Knowledge and Pleafure, that a welcome reception in all places may, in this fense, justify the title of the UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE. As the American continent, in the prefent unhappy war, is become the most interesting scene of action; it has been their study, though attended with confiderable expence, not merely to refer their Readers to general maps in former volumes, but to procure large and correct maps of the refpective Provinces: the course of thefe is already begun, illuftrated with historical and defcriptive accounts of each; and it is by fuch inftances of seasonable attention, they hope to manifeft an earnest defire to merit a continuance of that approbation the UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE has been favoured with through fixty-five volumes! They cannot conclude, without returning hearty and fincere acknowledgements to all their friendly and generous contributors; by no means overlooking that ingenious unknown correfpondent, who kindly favoured them with the very timely and expreffive defign, executed as a Frontispiece to this new volume. In this, the figurative representation of Britannia, is advancing from the Temple of Concord, over the emblems of war, French connexions, and Popery; followed by Peace and Plenty, with the offer of the Cap of Liberty to the diftreffed Americans. While these infatuated fubjects to a new Congress in alliance with their old hereditary enemies, elevating their ftriped enfign, oppofe the pafsage of their benefactors, by presenting their arms against them; though these arms are held by hands with manacles on them. THE MEMOIRS of the celebrated ROGER ASCHA M; Tutor, and Latin Secretary to Queen ELIZABETH, T HIS learned man was no lefs remarkable for living in connexion with a Court, through very critical feafons, when the moft oppofite principles became predominant in turn; than for thofe claffical abilities which are mentioned with respect even at the present time. ROGER ASCHAM was born at KirbyWifke, near North-Allerton, in Yorkfhire, about the year 1515. His father was a man of moderate fortune, but of extraordinary character, both for understanding and probity, was Steward to the noble family of Scroop; his mother was defcended of a genteel family, and allied to feveral perfons of diftinétion. Befides this Roger, they had two other fons, Thomas and Anthony, and several daugh ters. One thing is fo remarkable of them, that it ought not to pass unmentioned: NUME, CCCCLVII, VOL. LXVI. after living together 47 years in the greatet harmony and affection, thefe good old people died the fame day, and aimoft in the fame hour. As for their third fon Roger, fome time before his father's death, he was taken into the family of Sir Anthony Wingfield, and ftudied with his two fons. The brightnefs of his genius, and his great affection for learning, very early discovered themfelves, by his eager reading all the English books which came to his hands. This propenfity for ftudy was encouraged by his generous benefactor, who, when he had attained the elements of the learned languages, fent him, about the year 1530, to St. John's-college, in Cambridge. It was extremely happy for Mr. Afcham, that, at this time, St. John's college was one of the most flourishing in the Univerfity. Its maiter, Nicholas Medcalf, was A 2 a great |