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fourth link of the chain. If the chain be made of the fimpleft form, with flat links, and each link be made of an exact length (making them all on a mould), the motion will be as eafy as with any wheelwork, and without the leaft chance of flipping. The greatest difficulty is to keep the machine in repair. The moft confequential part of it, the first mover, the fly, and the pinion and wheel, by which its motion is tranfmitted to the reft of the machine, are fituated in a piace of difficult accefs, and where they are expofed to violent heat, and to the fmoke and foot. It is of importance that the whole be fo put together as to be eafily taken down, in order to fweep the vent, or to be repaired, &c. For this purpose, let the cross bar which carries the lower end of the upright fpindle be placed a little on one fide of the perpendicular ine from the upper pivot hole. Let the cook which carries the oil-cup and the pivot of the horizontal axis BC be screwed to one fide of this crofs bar, fo that the centre of the cup may be exactly under the upper pivot hole. By this conftruction we have only to unfcrew this cock, and then both axles come out of their places at once, and may be replaced without any trouble. Fig. 4. fhows the manner in which this may be done, where M reprefents a fection of the lower crofs bar. BCDE is the cock, fixed to the bar by the pins which go through both, with finger nuts a and b on the opposite fide. Fi is the hard fteel pin with the conical top i, on which the lower end I of the upright fpindie AG refts, in the manner recommended as the beft and the moft durable. The pivot of the horizontal axis turns in a hole at E the top of the cock.

SMOKELESS. adj. [from fmcke.] Having no

fmoke.

Tenants with fighs the Smokeless tow'rs fur

vey,

And turn th' unwilling fteed another way. Pope. * SMOKER. n. f. {from smoke.] 1. One that dries or perfumes by fmoke. 2. One that ufes

tobacco.

SMOKE-SILVER. Lands were holden in fome places by the payment of the fum of 6 d. yearly to the sheriff, called jmoke-filver (Par. 4. Edw. VI.) Smoke-filver and fmoke-penny are to be pd to the ministers of divers parishes as a modus in lieu of tithe-wood: and in fome manors formerly belonging to religious houfes, there is ftill paid, as appendant to the faid manors, the ancient Peter. pence, by the name of smoke-money (Twifd. HiftVindicat. 77.)-The biflop of London, anno 1444, iffued out his commitlion, Ad levandum le fioke farthings, &c.

SMOKING, COUNT RUMFORD'S METHOD TO PREVENT CHIMNEYS FROM. "All chimney fire places (fays the author) without exception, whether they are defigned for burning wood or coals, and even thofe which do not finoke, as well as those which do, may be greatly improved by making the alterations in them here recommended; for it is by no means merely to prevent chimneys from finoking that thefe unprovements are recommended, but it is also to make them better in all other refpects as re-places; and when the alterations propofed are properly executed, which nay very cafily be done with the affiftance of the

following plain and fimple directions, the chimneys will never fail to anfwer, I will venture to say, even beyond expectation. The room will be heated much more equally and more pleafantly, with less than half the fuel ufed before; the fire will be more cheerful and more agreeable; and the general appearance of the fire-place more neat and elegant, and the chimney will never smoke.”|| The author having stated, that thefe advantages" will be derived merely from diminishing the capacity of the throat of the chimney, or that part juit; above the fire-plice, proceeds to give the following explanation of the technical terms which he finds it neceffary to use. "By the throat of a chim ney (says he) I mean the lower extremity of its canal, where it unites with the upper part of its open fire-piace. This throat is commonly found about a foot above the level of the lower part of the. mantle, and it is fometimes contracted to a smailer fize than the rest of the canal of the chimney, and fometimes not. In Plate CCCXVI. fig. 5.. fhows the fection of a chimney on the common conftruction, in which de is the throat. Fig. 6. fhows the fection of the fame chimney altered and improved, in which di is the reduced throat. The breaft of a chimney is that part of it which is immediately behind the mantle. It is the wall which forms the entrance from below into the throat of the chimney in front, or towards the room. It is oppofite to the upper extremity of the back of the open fire-piace, and parallel to it; in fhort, it may be faid to be the back part of the mantle itfelf. to fig. 5 and 6, it is marked by the letter d. The width of the throat of chimney de fg. 5, and difg. 6, is taken from the breaft of the chimney to the back, and its length is taken at right angles to its width, or in a line paralel to the mantle a fig. 5 and 6. The bringing for ward of the tire into the room, or rather bringing it nearer the front of the opening of the fire place, and diminishing of the throat of the chimney, being two objects principalty had in view in the terations in fire-places here recommended, it is evident that both these may be attained merely by bringing forward the back of the chimney. The only queition therefore is, how far it should be brought forward? The answer is fhort, and easy to be understood; bring it forward as far as pol fible, without diminishing too much the pallage which must be left for the smoke. Now as this paffage, which, in its narrowest part, I have called the throat of the chimney, ought to be imme diately, or perpendicularly over the fire, it is cvident that the back of the chimney must always be built perfectly upright. To determine therefore the place for the new back, or how far precifely it ought to be brought forward, nothing more is neceffary than to afcertain how wide the throat of the chimney ought to be left, or what space muft be left between the top of the breat of the chimney, where the upright canal of the chimney begins, and the new back of the fireplace carried up perpendicularly to that height. In the courf of my numerous experiments upon chimneys, I have taken much pains to determine the width proper to be given to this paffage, and I have found, that, when the back of the fireplace is of a proper width, the beft width for the

throat

throat of a chimney, when the chimney and the chimney it is found neceffary, in order to accom fire-place are of the ufual form and fize, is four modate the fire-place to a grate or ftove already on inches. Three inches indeed might fometimes an- hand, to make the fire-place 16 inches wide. in fwer, especially where the fire-place is very small, that case, I should merely increase the width of the and the chimney good and weli fituated. It may back to the dimentions required, without altering perhaps appear extraordinary, upon the firit view the depth of the chimney, or increafing the width of the matter, that fire-places of fuch different fi- of the opening of the chimney in front The coe hould all require the throat of the chimney vings, it is true, would be fomewhat reduced in their to be of the fame width; but when it is confider- width by this alteration; and their pofition with reed, that the capacity of the throat of a chimney fpect to the plane of the back of the chimney would does not depend on its width alone, but on its be a little changed; but thefe alterations would width and length taken together; and that in produce no bad effects of any confiderable confe Torre fire-places, the width of the back, and con-quence, and would be much lefs likely to injure quently the length of the throat of the chimney, the fire-place, than an attempt to bring the pro greater than in thofe which are fmalier, this portions of its parts nearer to the standard, by inculty vanishes. And this leads us to confider creafing the depth of the chimney, and the width another important point respecting open fire-pla⚫ of its opening in front; or than an attempt to ce, and that is, the width which it will in each preferve that particular obliquity of the covings cafe be proper to give to the back. In fire places which is recommended as the beft, (135) by inthey are now commonly conftructed, the back creafing the width of the opening of the fire-place, kef equal width with the opening of the fire-place without increafing its depth." The provision made front; but this construction is faulty on two for the paffage of the chimney-fweeper up the chimaccounts. First, in a fire-place fo conftructed, ney is thus defcribed: "In building up the new the fides of the fire-place or covings, as they are back of the fire-place; when this wall (which need caled, are parallel to each other, and confequent never be more than the width of a single brick in y ill-contrived to throw out into the room the thicknefs) is brought up so high that there remains beat they feceive from the fire in the form of rays; no more than about ten or eleven inches between and adly, the large open corners which are form what is then the top of it, and the infide of the ed by making the back as wide as the opening of mantie, or lower extremity of the breast of the. the fire-place in front, occafion eddies of wind, chimney, an opening, or door-way, 11 or 12 inchwhich frequently disturb the fire, and embarrass es wide, muft be begun in the middle of the back, the faoke in its afcent in fuch a manner as often and continued quite to the top of it, which, acto bring it into the room. Both thefe defects cording to the height to which it will commonly ay be entirely remedied by diminishing the width be neceffary to carry up the back, will make the of the back of the fire-place. The width which, opening about 12 or 14 inches high; which will in moft cafes, it will be beft to give it, is one third be quite fufficient to allow the chimney-fweeper of the width of the opening of the fire-piace in to pafs. When the fire-place is finished, this doorfoat. But it is not abfoiutely neceffary to con- way is to be closed by a tile, or a fit piece of form rigorously to this decifion, nor will it al- ftone, placed in it, dry, or without mortar, and ways be poffible. It will frequently happen that confined in its place by means of a rabber made the back of a chimney must be made wider than, for that purpofe in the brick work. As often as according to the rule here given, it ought to be. the chimney is fwept, the chimney-fweeper takes This may be, either to accommodate the fire-place down this tile, which is very eafily done, and to a ftove, which being already on hand muft, to when he has finished his work he puts it a avoid the expence of purchasing a new one, be gain into its place. The drawing fg. 6. will give poyed; or for other reafons; and any mail a clear idea of this contrivance; and the experideviation from the general rule will be attended ence I have had of it has proved that it anivers Ethno confiderable inconvenience. It will al- perfely well the purpofe for which it is defign-ays be beft, however, to conform to it as far as ed. I obferved above that the new back, which Samtances will allow. Where a chimney is it will always be found neceffary to build in order gned for warming a room of a middling fize, to bring the fire fufficiently forward, in altering where the thicknefs of the wall of the chim a chimney constructed on the common principles. try in front, measured from the front of the man- need never be thicker than the width of a com

inches, I mon brick. I may tay the time of the thicknefan و to the breaft of the chimney is

Old fet off 4 inches more for the width of the t of the chimney, which fuppofing the back e chimney to be built upright, as it always a to be, will give 13 inches for the depth of the fire place, meafured upon the hearth, from the ng of the fire-place in front to the back. In cafe 13 inches would be a good fize for the width of the back; and 3 times 13 inches, or 39 ches, for the width of the opening of the fire pace in front; and the angle made by the back of the fire-place and the Jes of it, or covings, would be juft 135 degrees, which is the beft poon they can have for throwing heat into the 10. But I will fuppofe that in altering fuch a VOL. XXI. PART I.

necedary to be given to the new fides, or covings, of the chimney; or if the new back and covings are conftructed of tone, one inch and three quaiters, or two inches in thickness will be sufficient. Care Ghould be taken, in building up these new walls, to unite the back to the covings in a folid manner. Whether the new back and covings are conftructed of ftone, or built of bricks, the space between them and the old back and covings of the chimney ought to be filled up, to give greater folidity to the ftructure. This may be done with loofe rubbith, or pieces of broken bricks or flones, provided the work be ftrengthened by a few layera or courfes of bricks laid in mortar; but it will

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be indifpenfably neceffary to finish the work, only on the height of the mantle, but alfo, ard where thefe new walls end, that is to fay, at the more especially, on the height of the breast of the top of the throat of the chimney, where it ends chimney, or of that part of the chimney where abruptly in the open canal of the chimney, by a the breaft ends and the upright canai begins. The horizontal courfe of bricks well fecured with mor- back and covings must ride a few inches, 5 or 6 tar. This courfe of bricks will be upon a level for instance, higher than this part, otherwife the with the top of the door-way left for the chimney- throat of the chimney will not be properly form. fweeper. From thefe defcriptions it is clear, that ed; but I know of no advantages that would be where the throat of the chimney has an end, that g ined by carrying them up ftill higher. In formis to fay, where it enters into the lower part of ing the door way for the chimney-tweeper, the the open canal of the chimney, there the three best method of proceeding is to place the the or walls which form the two covings and the back flat piece of ftone deftined for clofing it, in its of the fire-place all end abruptly. It is of much proper place; and to build round it, or rather by importance that they thould end in this manner; the fides of it: taking care not to bring any mor for were they to be floped outward, and raised in tar near it, in order that it may be easily remofuch a manner as to fwell out the upper extremi- ved when the door-way is finithed. With regard ty of the throat of the chimney in the form of a to the rabbet, which should be made in the doortrumpet, and increase it by degrees to the fize of way to receive it and fix it more firmly in its place, the canai of a chimney, this manner of uniting this may either be formed at the fame time when the lower extremity of the canal of the chimney the door-way is built, or it may be made after it with the throat, would tend to affift the winds is finithed, by attaching to its bottom and fides. which may attempt to blow down the chimney, with trong mortar, pieces of thin roof tiles; fuch in forcing their way through the throat, and as are about half an inch in thickness will be the throwing the fmoke backward into the room; best for this use; if they are thicker, they will die but when the throat of the chimney ends abrupt- minish too much the opening of the door-way, ly, and the ends of the new walls form a fat ho- and will likewife be more liable to be torn away rizontal furface, it will be much more difficult for by the chimney-fweeper in paffing up and down any wind from above, to find and force its way the chimney." From these extracts fufficient inthrough the narrow palage of the throat of the formation may be drawn, to enable the reader to chimney. As the two walls which form the new judge accurately of the mode of constructing these covings of the chimney are not parallel to each improved fire-places. We fhali add, however, a other, but inclined, prefenting an oblique furface defcription of the different figures in Plate 316, towards the front of the chimney; and as they from which the fubject cannot fail of being clearare built perfectly upright and quite flat, from ly underflood. Fig. 1. fhows the plan of a fire. the hearth to the top of the throat, where they place on the common conftruction. A B, the oend, it is evident that an horizontal fection of the pening of the fire-place in front. CD, the back throat wil not be an oblong fquare; but its de- of the fire-place. A C and B D, the covings. viation from that form is a matter of no confe- Fig. 1. fhows the elevation, or front view of a firequence; and no attempts should ever be made, place on the common construction. Fig. 3. fhows by twisting the covings above, where they ap. how the fire-place reprefented by the fig. 1. is to proach the breaft of the chimney, to bring it to be altered in order to its being improved. A Bis that form. Ail twifts, bends, prominences, exca- the opening in front-C D, the back, and A C vations, and other irregularities of form, in the and B D, the covings of the fire place in its oricovings of a chimney, never fail to produce ed- ginal state. a b, Its opening in front-i k, its dies in the current of air which is continually paf- back-and a and b k, its covings after it has been fing into, and through an open fire-place in which altered; e is a point upon the hearth, upon which a fire is burning; and all fuch eddies difturb, ei- a plumb fufpended from the middle of the upper ther the fire, or the afcending current of fmoke, part of the breaft of the chimney fail. The fituaor both; and not unfrequently caufe the fmoke tion for the new back is afcertained by taking the to be thrown back into the room. Hence it ap- line e fequal to 4 inches. The new back and covings pears, that the covings of chimneys, should never are reprefented as being built of bricks; and the be made circular, cr in the form of any other space between these and the old back and covings curve; but always quite flat. For the fame rea- as being filled up with rubbish. Fig. 4. reprefenis fon, that is to fay, to prevent eddies, the breaft the elevation or front view of the fire place fig. 3. of the chimney, which forms that fide of the after it has been altered. The lower part of the doorthroat that is in front, or nearest to the room, way left for the chimney-fweeper is thown in this fi fhould be neatly cleaned off, and its furface made gure by dotted lines. Fig. 5. fhows the fection of a quite regular and smooth. This may cafily be chimney fire-place, and of a part of the canal of done by covering it with a coat of platter, which the chimney, on the common conftruction. ab Is may be made thicker or thinner in different parts the opening in front; be, the depth of the fireas may be necessary, in order to bring the breaft place at the bearth; d, the breath of the chimney, of the chimney to be of the proper form. With de, The throat of the chimney, and af, g e, a regard to the form of the breaft of a chimney, this part of the open canal of the chimney. Fig. 6. is a matter of very great importance, and which thows a fection of the fame chimney after it has ought always to be particularly attended to. I been altered. kl is the new back of the fire-place; have hitherto given no precife directions, in re-i, the tile or ftone which clofes the door-way Pard to the height to which the new back and co- for the chimney-fweeper; di, the throat of the vings ought to be carried. This will depend not chimney, narrow to four inches; a, the mantle,

and

and & the new wall made under the mantle to di-
mfh the height of the opening of the fire-place
in front. N. B. These two figures are fections of
the fame chunney which is reprefented in each of
the four preceding figures. Fig. 7. fhows how
the covigs are to be placed, when the front of
the covings (a and b) does not come fo far for
ward as the front of the opening of the fire-place,
or the jams. (A and B.) Fig. 8. fhows how the
width and obiquity of the covings are to be ac-
commodated to the width of the back of a fire-
pat, in cafes where it is neceffary to make the
bet very wide. Fig. 9. fhows how an inftru-
rent called a bevel (ɔn n), useful in laying out the
wek, in altering chimney fire-places, may be
conftructed. Fig. 1o. fhows how, when the breaft
of a chimney (d) is too high, it may be brought
down by means of a wall (b) placed under the
mantle, and a coating of plafter, which in this fi-
" is reprefented by the part marked with dots.
Fig. 11. fhows how the breaft of a chimney may
be brought down merely by a coating of plafter.
(1.) SMOKY. adj. [from smoke.] 1. Emitting
facke; fumid.-

Involving all the wood in Smoky fires. Dryd, - Having the appearance or nature of fmoke. London appears in a morning drowned in a black rad, and all the day after fimothered with fmoky fg. Harvey-

If blaft feptentrianal with brufhing wings Sweep up the moky mifts, and vapours damp, Then woe to mortals. Philips.

3. Nofome with fmoke.

Shak.

Milton.

Worfe than a fmoky houfe.
Courtefy is fooner found in lowly fheds,
With Smoky rafters, than in tap'stry halls
And courts of princes.
Morpheus, the humble god, that dwells
Ia cottages and smoky cells.
Denham.
(2) SMOKY BAY, a large bay of the N. Pacific
Ocean, on the W. coaft of the entrance into Cook's
River; between Cape Douglas and Point Banks.
SMOLAND. See SMALAND.

SMOLEN, an island on the N. coaft of Nor. way, in the North Sea, 25 miles in circumference. Lon. 8. 16. E Lat. 63. 24. N.

(1.) SMOLENSK, or a large and ftrong city (1)SMOLENSKOE, of Ruffia, and capital of the palatinate, fo named, (N° 2.) with a caftle feated on a mountain, and a bishop's fee. It is frong by its fituation, being in the middle of a wood, and furrounded by almoft inacceffible mountains. It has been taken and retaken feveral mes by the Poles and Ruffians; but thefe laft have had poffeffion of it ever fince the year 1687. It is feated on the river Dnieper, near the frontiers of Lithuania, 188 miles SW. of Mofcow. Lon. 31, 1. E. Lat. 54. 50. N.

(1) SMOLENSKOE, a duchy and palatinate of Raffia, bounded on the N. by Biela, on the E. by the duchy of Mofcow, on the S. by that of Severia and the palatinate of Meillaw, and on the W. by the fame palatinate and by that of Witepik. It is full of forefts and mountains.

(3) SMOLENSKOE, instead of a duchy or palatimate, is filed by the rev. Clem. Cruttwell, a government of Ruffia;" and he gives it different boundaries; viz. "on the N. by Pfovfkoe, and

Tverfkoe; E. by Moskovskaia, and Kaluzskoe; S. by Orlovikoe, and Novogrod Sieverikce; and W. by Polotikoe and Moglivikee. This government, (he adds) contains White Ruffin, properly to called, and was ceded by Poland to Ruffia as a duchy, by treaty in 1667, confirmed in 1686. Smolensk is the capital. Lon. 48. 20. to 53. 20. E. Ferro. Lat. 53. 20. to 36. 15. N."

SMOLIN, a mountain of Bofnia; 32 miles SSW. of Zwornick.

SMOLLET, Tobias, M. D. aa eminent Scot. tifh author, whofe writings will tranfmit his name with banour to pofterity, was born in 1720, at a village within 2 miles of Cameron, on the banks of the Leven. He received a claffical education, and was bred to the practice of phyfic and furgery; and in the early part of his life ferved as a fur geon's mate in the navy. The incidents that befel him during his acting in this capacity ferved as a foundation for his Roderic Randam, one of the moft entertaining novels in the English tongue. He was prefent at the fiege of Carthagena, and in that novel has given a faithful, though not very pleafing, account of the management of that illconducted expedition, which be cenfures in the warmeft terms, from circumftances which fell un der his own particular obfervation. His connec tion with the fea feems not to have been of long continuance. The first piece he publifhed, that we know of with certainty, is a Satire in two parts, printed first in the years 1746 and 1747, and reprinted in a Collection of his Plays and Poems in 1777. About this period, or fome time before, he wrote for Mr Rich an opera, entitled Alcefte, which has never been either performed or printed. At the age of 18 he wrote a tragedy, entitled The Regicide, founded on the affeffination of K. James I, at Perth. In the preface to this piece, publifhed by fubfcription in 1749, he bit terly exclaimed against falfe patrons, and the du plicity of theatrical managers. The warmth and impetuofity of his temper hurried him, on this oc cafion, into unjust reflections against the excellent George lord Lyttelton, (fee LYTTELTON, N° 2.) and Mr Garrick: the former le characterised in the novel of Peregrine Fickle, and he added a burlefque of the beautiful Monody written by that nobleman on the death of his lady. Against Mr Garrick he made illiberal ill-founded criticifms; and in his novel of Roderic Random gave a very unfair reprefentation of his treatment of him refpecting this tragedy. Of this conduct he afterwards repented, and acknowledged his errors; though in the fubfequent editions of the novel the paffages which were the hafty effufions of disappointment, have not been omitted. However, in giving a fketch of the liberal arts in his Hiftory of England, he afterwards remarked, that "the exhibitions of the ftage were improved to the moft exquifite entertainment by the talents and management of Mr Garrick, who greatly furpaffed all his predeceffors of this and perhaps every other nation, in his genius for acting, in the fweetness and variety of his tones, the irresistible magic of his eye, the fire and vivacity of his action, the eloquence of attitude, and the whole pathos of expreffion. Candidates for literary fame appeared even in the higher fphere of life, embellished by the nervous fenfe

L 2

and

and extenfive erudition of a Corke; by the delicate tafte, the polifhed mufe, and the tender feelings, of a Lyttelton." Not fatisfied with this public declaration, he wrote an apology to Mr Garrick in ftill stronger terms. With thefe ample concesions, Mr Garrick was completely fatisfied; fo that in 1757, when Dr Smollet's comedy of the Reprisals, an after piece of two ads, was performed at Drury Lane theatre, the latter acknowjedged himself highly obliged for the friendly care of Mr Garrick excited in preparing it for the flage; and ftill more for his acting the part of utignan in Zara for his benefit, on the fixth instead of the ninth night, to which he was only entitled by the custom of the theatre. The Adventures of Roderie Random, published in 1748, 2 vols 12mo, a book which still continues to have a moft extenfive fale, firft eftablished the Doctor's reputation. All the first volume and the beginning of the ad appears to conlift of real incidents and characters, though certainly a good deal heightened and difguifed. The Judge his grandfather, Crab and Potion the two apothecaries, and 'Squire Gawky, were characters well known in that part of the kingdom where the fcene was laid. Captains Oakhum and While, Doctors Mackfhanc and Morgan, were alfo faid to be real perfonages; but their names we have either neyer learned or have now forgotten. A bookbinder and barber long eagerly contended for being fhadowed under the name of Strap. The Doctor feems to have enjoyed a peculiar felicity in defcribing fea-characters, particularly the officers and failors of the navy. His Trunnion, Hatchway, and Pipes, are highly finifted originals; but what exceeds them all, and perhaps equals any character that has yet been painted by the happieft genius of ancient or modern times, is his Lieutenant Bowling, This is indeed rature itself; original, unique, and fui generis. By the publication of this work the Doc. tor had acquired fo great a reputation, that henceforth a certain degree of fuccefs was infared to every thing known to proceed from his hand. In the courfe of a few years, the Adventures of Peregrine Pickle appeared, a work of great ingenuity and contrivance in the compofition, and in which an uncommon degree of crudition is difplayed, particularly in the description of the entertainment given by the Republican Doctor, after the manner of the ancients: Under this perfonage the late Dr AXENSIDE, author of The Pleasures of Imasination, is fuppofed to be characterised; and it would be difficult to determine whether profound fearning or genuine humour predominate most in this epifade. Another epiiode of The AdVentures of a Lady of Quality, Ekewife inferted in This work, contributed greatly to its fuccefs, and is indeed admirably executed; the materials, it is faid, the lady herer (the celebrated lady Vane) furnithed. These were not the only original com. pofitions of this ftamp with which the Doctor has favoured the public. Ferdinand Count Fathom, and Sir Lancelot Greaves, are ftill in the lift of what may be called reading novels, and have gone through feveral editions; but there is no injuftice in placing them in a rank far below the former. No doubt invention, character, compofition, and contrivance, are to be found in both; but then

fituations are defcribed which are hafdly possible, and characters are painted, which, if not altoge ther unexampled, are at least incompatible with modern manners; and which ought not to be as the fcenes are laid in modern times. The Doctor's laft werk was of much the fame ipe cies, but caft into a different form-The Expedi tion of Humphry Clinker. It confifts of a feries of letters, written by different perfons to their re fpective correfpondents. He has here carefully a voided the faults which may be juftly charged to his two former productions. Here are no extra vagant characters nor unnatural fituations. On the contrary, an admirable knowledge of life and manners is displayed; and most useful lessons are given applicable to interesting but to very com mon fituations. We know not whether the remark has been made, but there is certainly a very obvious fimilitude between the characters of the three heroes of the Doctor's chief productions. Roderic Random, Peregrine Pickle, and Matthew Bramble, are all brothers of the fame family. The fame fatirical, cynical, difpofition, the fame generofity and benevolence, are the diftinguishing and characteristical features of all three; but they are far from being fervile copies or imitations of each other. They differ as much as the Ajax, Diomed, and Achilles of Ilomer. This was undoubtedly a great effort of genius; and the Doctor feems to have defcribed his own character at the different stages and fituations of his life. Before he took a houfe at Chelsea, he attempted to fettle as practitioner of phyfic at Bath; and with that view wrote A Treatise on the Bath Waters; but was unfuccessful, chiefly because he could not render himself agreeable to the women. This was doubtless extraordinary; for those who remembered Dr Smoliet at that time acknowledge, that he was as graceful and handfome a man as any of the age he lived in; and there was a certain dignity in his air and manner, which could not but infpire refpect wherever he appeared. Perhaps he was too foon difcouraged. Abandon. ing phylic as a profeflion, he fixed his refidence at Chelfea, and turned his thoughts entirely to writing. Yet, as an author, he was not near fo fuccessful as his genius and merit certainly deferved. He never acquired a patron among the great, who by his favour or beneficence relieved him from the neceffity of writing for a fubfiftence. The truth is, Dr Smollet poffeffed a loftiness and elevation of fentiment and character which appears to have difqualified him for paying court to these who were capable of conferring favours. It would be wrong to call this difpofition haughtiness; for to his equals and inferiors he was ever polite, friendly, and generous. Bookfellers may therefore be faid to have been his only patrons; and from them he had conftant employment in tranf Tating, compiling, and reviewing. He tranflated Gil Blas and Don Quixote, both fo happily, that all the former tranflations of thefe excellent productions of genius have been almost superfeded by his. His name likewife appears to a tranfla tion of Voltaire's Profe Works: but little of it was done by his own hand; he only revised it, and added a few notes. He was concerned in a great variety of compilations. His Hrftory of England

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