Mr. Hawkins into an opportunity of writing a letter, and of such "extreme length;" that is, by rendering my reply altogether as concise.

Whatever sketches I took from the Abbey church, Westminster, for my work of Antient Sculpture and Painting, were independent of any sugges tions from the Hawkins family. While I was engaged in such selection, they applied for leave to present papers of illustration in aid of my engravings; that is, as they referred to Westmin ster subjects: of course this was assented to. On setting out with the publication, I intended but slight letter-press accompaniments, as was the case with Plates I. and II. from hints set down by the late Richard Gough, esq. It proved otherwise when Mr. Hawkins took the lead; and, had no mistakes happened between his father and me, I had determined, when the partial number of articles from Westminster had been gone through with, to have declined the honour of his literary assistance; for, in fact, the accounts furnished by him were so verbose, so full of complicated matter, repetitions, and old wives' tales, (witness his present letter, portioned as it is into four readings, and I know not how much "omitted") running so wide of the mark (my engravings), that the expence of paper and letterpress printing far exceeded my original calculation relative to the price to be paid by Subscribers. The Hawkins's wanted remuneration: other gentlemen (see the difference of men's humours!) absolutely contributed pecuniary aid to encourage me in the undertaking. Allow me to name in particular Richard Gough, esq. Dr. Lort, C. Ord, esq. and W. Seward, esq.* As

* I take this occasion to inform Mr.

Hawkins that I am about to dispose of this Work; and if he, or any other person, should be desirous to become purchasers, I shall be ready to listen to candid and liberal proposals.

for the "long story" Mr. Hawkins has entertained the Readers with, who cannot chuse but smile about my “thinking this,” or “saying that,” my promises; and what constitutes the best part of the joke is, I "accepted Mr. Hawkins's assistance to keep him out of mischief-keep the grave, the sententious, the learned John Sidney Hawkins, esq. out of mischief! And oh impertinent, trifling, and silly John Carter, that could, almost at first interview with such a personage as the late Sir John Hawkins, Kut. and Chairman of the Quarter Sessions at Hicks's-hall, presume to advise with him about his Son's morals! Yet he, Mr. Hawkins (maugre his "memory is fortunately uncommonly strong,") immediately lets us know that his Father "bad on a former occasion accidentally said, that it was a good thing when young men took to such pursuits, as it kept them out of mischief." However, Mr. Hawkins "comforts" himself about a "just vindication of himself against so foul and false a calumny." Between friends, this part of the business, let it be understood how it may, had better have slept in peace with ten thousand other the like reminiscences.

With regard to the "full,true, fair, and complete account," of all these mighty matters, I find by enumerating the names of those gentlemen who wrote for my work, and the number of pages each produced, the account stands thus:

Pages.

J.S. Hawkins, esq. 23 Self

....

20

Pages. Sir John Fenn 5 Dr. Oglander W. Bray, esq. 1

I

9

C.Brooke, esq. 2

S. Lysons, esq. 24 Dr. Milner.. 43

W. Seward, esq.
R. Gough, esq.
F. Douce, esq..... 11
Capt. Grose.....

I concluded this work in 1794; and did not commence my present intercourse with Mr. Urban until 1798, (See volume LXVIII.). Two years elapsed between the two occurrences, therefore Mr. Hawkins has no cause to call my veracity or sincerity into question in this respect, although he has presumed so to do, p. 351.

Mr. Hawkins still arrogates to him, self the power of condemning Mr. Moore's List of Monasteries, compiled on his visits round the Kingdom, with the authorities of Tanner, Keith, and his friend Mr. Cayley. Why the date of the foundation of Westminster Abbey is set down in the above

List 1049, temp. Edward Confessor, is for this reason: we have no traces, at this hour, what form any previous building assumed, while Edward's remains are still visible in considerable portions, as exemplified Plate I. of the First Part of the present Volume, p. 9. Reverting to the few trivial examples of proportions and variations of the Pointed arch, extracted from my work of English Architecture, which Mr. H. has inserted in his History, by way of proof that he pays some attention to his country's arts; it would have better become him, and have given some small credit to his undertaking, if he had favoured the Publick with one or two engravings of an English arch, a door-way, a moulding, or a modicum of foliage, and the like, by his friend and colleague Mr. Smith: but nothing of this sort seems to have suited Mr. Hawkins, copying other men's letterpress and engravings (being the cheapest way of going to work, though not the most honourable) an swers al! purposes, and is a much easier task. Alluding to the present remains of Malmsbury, it is to be hoped my selection from them, in vol, LXXXIII. Part ii. Plate II. p. 329, will confirm their remote antiquity, and fix them a portion of the first foundation.

Mr. Hawkins being willing some how or other to have it understood that he had at least seen a certain number of our Antient Structures, if not made notes, or employed an artist to take sketches from them, therefore reckons up "above 50;" but does not "see any use in citing one of them." Here is au Author for you, who, writing about the "History of the Origin of Gothic (Pointed) Architecture," totally sets aside with contempt and prejudice the mighty and first conceived works of art in this his native land! In contradiction to Mr. Hawkins, I beg leave to state, that I, in every instance, consult books, by way of illustration to the antient objects I mean to lay before the world; but at the same time must observe, 1 give preference to an actual survey of them, and sometimes follow the dictates of my own reason and long experience, in descanting on their several properties.

Had the strictures which Mr. Hawkins is pleased to pass upon my pre

sent publication of "The Antient Ar chitecture of England" come from a professional hand, I would have bowed with humble contrition for my vain attempt to inform and instruct the Publick; as it is, little apprehension can be felt, when it is considered that a mere Amateur gives sentence.

My observations on his book are for the sole purpose of vindicating the abilities of Englishmen ; and as he is a person of independent fortune, nothing prejudicial could possibly ac crue to him on that account from any refutations brought against it by my said' Observations.' But, by unworthy insinuations, he endeavours to sap the very foundation on which my means of existence are raised, seeking to injure me in my profession! However, to shew that little is to be dread. ed from such a wordy Scribe (I beg pardon, Author),I despise his pitiful ef forts; and, as an apology for the work of Antient Architecture, can only say, the arrangement of it is the result of my studies through life; the specimens are sketched from the real objects, and etched by my own hand. The truth is, I have done my best (not presuming to write a History of Architecture exclusively): to be considered as an illustrator of the Antiquities of the land, is all the reward I aim at. If I have failed in my arduous task, let a kind oblivion be my fate; not a cruel and unwarrantable condemnation, for doing that where no art or science is calumniated; a zealous endeavour to do honour to them has been the prime movement of all my exertions, both in my architectural and literary labours. And so long as I can in any wise be conducive to uphold the same, it will be a matter of indifference, what inconvenience may arise to my own particular or private concerns, being sen sible I but "do my duty. Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

J. CARTER.

Aug. 2. REGARD your Magazine as the Public Office for Literary Inquiries, where an answer may be obtained to any question, learned or curious; and, what is essentially different from most offices, without fee or reward. Under this impression, I sit down to request, by your favour, of some Correspondeat versed in Bibliographical History; or of yourself, who are pro

bably