and contemplative men, before this invention; most of whom must have lost the use of their eyes before their judgment, or their relish for reading or business was impaired. We may further add; to this bleffed and comfortable invention, we are no doubt indebted for many others, through their means, proportionably beneficial to mankind. According to vulgar tradition, he alfo invented a fpeaking brazen head, of Time is, &c. If one may hazard a conjecture, might not this piece of mechanism be a first attempt, of constructing that curious and useful machine a striking clock, which in the rude state of the arts, and for want of proper artificers to execute what this great man had conceived, (but which is brought to fo great a perfection, and become fo common in our days) have tumbled to pieces from the strokes of the hammer upon the Bell?—At least, we may, without ftretching our own faith very far, eafily conceive, how the blind fuperftition, and credulity of the people in that age, might transfer their ideas. of fuch a novelty, as a firiking clock, to a fpeaking brazen head.. SEA FIGHT. The manner of fighting at sea, practised at this time by the Genoese and the Venetians near Sicily, in a fea-fight, wherein the former were victorious. They firft ran their fhips violently against their antagonist, when the weaker of the two stood a poor chance to keep above water, if her nimblenefs did not fruftrate the attempt. Secondly, by throwing javelins, darts, arrows, ftones &c. at each other. Thirdly, by grapling together, they fought hand to hand, with fwords, spears, and other weapons. Specimen of the English language in Henry the Third's time, from a tranflation of the Lord's prayer in metre. Fader that art in heaven bleffe, Thin holy will it be all don, In heven and in herth also So it fhall bin full well I tro, Gif Gif us all bread on this day, CHARACTER OF EDWARD I. THE enterprizes finished by this prince, and the projects which he formed, and brought very near to a conclufion, were more prudent and more regularly conducted, and more advantageous to the folid interefts of this kingdom, than those which were undertaken in any reign either of his ancestors or fucceffors. He restored authority to the government, diforded by the weakness of his father; he maintained the laws against all the efforts of his turbulent barons; he fully annexed to the crown, the principality of Wales; he took the wifest and most effectual measures for re ducing ducing Scotland, to a like condition; and though the equity of this latter enterprize may reasonably be queftioned;: the circumstances of the two kingdoms promised fuch fuccefs, and the advan-tage was fo visible, of uniting the whole. island. under one head, that those who give. great indulgence to reafons of state in the measures of princes, will not be apt to regard this part of his conduct with much feverity. But Edward, however exceptionable his character may appear on the head of juftice, is the model of a politic and warlike king. He poffeffed industry,, penetration, courage, vigour, and enterprize. He was frugal in all expences that were not neceffary; he knew how to open the public treasures on proper occafions; he punifhed criminals with feverity; he was gracious and affable to his fervants and courtiers; and being, of |