regard as involuntary error. Fixed in his own faith, he knew not how to limit his charity for the wanderings of others.

In the pulpit he was earnest, eloquent, and persuasive. He managed a voice naturally weak and defective, so as to make it heard where many stronger ones would have failed. To vigour of thought, he joined a copiousness and force of language, a felicity of illustration, an impressiveness of manner, and a power of applying his subject to the conscience, which at once won the attention, and touched the heart. Though he would by no means keep back" the terrors of the Lord," where it was necessary to set them forth, it was by motives of love, rather than of fear, that he delighted to win men over to the gospel of peace.

CAPEL LOFFT, Esq.

May 26. At Montcallier, near Turin, Capel Lofft, Esq. an admired poet, and the friend of Bloomfield; a barrister-at-law, a warm politician in the whig school, a distinguished writer in the law department, as well as in defence of liberty; an earnest black-letter enthusiast in literature, and in private life an amiable man.

He was born at Bury St Edmund's in 1751. He received his christian name from his uncle Capel, the commentator on Shakespeare, and had his education at Eton, whence he went to Peterhouse, Cambridge; after which he studied the law, and in due course became a barrister. His first production, the "Praise of Poetry," a poem, 1775, 12mo, attracted but little attention. In 1778 he published" Observations upon Mrs Macau ley's History of England," written in a spirit of zeal for the honour of that lady. His "Translation of the first and second Georgics of Virgil," pub

lished in 8vo, 1784, was executed upon the model of Dr Trapp, and was a most daring attempt upon Virgil, in which Mr Lofft succeeded.

In 1797, upon the appearance of the comet, Mr Lofft played off the artillery of his philosophy upon the public with considerable glitter in the daily prints. He resided at Troston Hall, Suffolk, and was an active magistrate for that county.

Among the earliest recollections of him, is his first appearance at the county meetings held at Stowmarket, during the last twenty-five years of the late King's reign. His figure was small, upright, and boyish; his dresswithout fit, fashion, or neatness; his speaking-small-voiced, long sentenced, and involved; his manner-persevering, but without command. On these occasions, Mr Lofft invariably opposed the tory measures which those meetings were intended to sanction; and he was assailed, as invariably, by the rude hootings and hissings of the gentry and the rabble. Undismayed, however, by rebuff, he would fearlessly continue to advocate the cause of freedom. Mr Lofft's conversational powers were of a high order; his richly-stored mind would throw out its treasures when surrounded by his friends, and few, if any, ever left him without improvement, or shared his converse without pleasure.

Besides his publications enumerated above, he published the following:

View of the several Schemes respecting America," 1775, 8vo.-"Dialogue on the Principles of the Constitution," 1776, 8vo.-"Reports of Cases in the Court of King's bench, from Easter Term, 12 Geo. III. to Mich. Term, 14 Geo. III. inclusive," 1776, fol.-" Observations on Wesley's second Calm Address, and incidentally on other writings upon the American Question," 1777, 8vo. Principia

cum juris universalis tum præcique Anglicani." 1779, 2 vols. 12mo. "Elements of Universal Law, being a translation of the first volume of the Principia," 1779, 12mo." An Argument on the nature of Party and Faction," 1780, 8vo.-" Eudosia, or a poem on the Universe," 1781, 8vo. "Observations on a Dialogue on the actual State of Parliament," 1783, 8vo." Inquiry into the legality and expediency of increasing the Royal Navy by Subscriptions for Building County Ships," 1783, 8vo.-" Essay on the Law of Libels," 1785, 8vo. "Three Letters on the Question of the Regency," 1789, 8vo.-"Observations on the first part of Dr Knowles's Testimonies of the Divinity of Christ, from the first four centuries," 1789, Svo." History of the Corporation and Test Acts," 1790, 8vo.-"Remarks on the Letter of Edmund Burke, concerning the Revolution in France, and on the Proceedings of certain Societies in London relative to that event," 1790, 8vo.-" Essay on the Effect of a Dissolution of Parliament on an Impeachment by the House of Commons, for High Crimes and Misdemeanours," 1791, 8vo. "Remarks on the Letter of Mr Burke to a Member of the National Assembly, with several Papers in addition to the Remarks on the Reflections of Mr Burke on the Revolution in France," 1791, 8vo.-"The first and second books of Milton's Paradise Lost, with Notes," 1792, 4to." The Law of Evidence, by Chief Baron Gilbert, considerably enlarged to which is prefixed some account of the Author, his abstract of Locke's Essay, and his Argument on a Case of Homicide in Ireland," 1791, 1796, 2 vols. 8vo; the copy of which, furnished by him, was abruptly discontinued in the middle of the last volume, and the work was concluded by another hand.-"On the revival of the

cause of reform in the Representation of the Commons in Parliament," 1810, 2d edit. 8vo.-" Aphorisms from Shakspeare," 1812, 18mo.“ Laurana, or an Anthology of Sonnets and Elegaic Quatorzains, original and translated," 1812, 5 vols. fc. 8vo.Mr Lofft has also written numerous articles in the Gentleman's Magazine, Monthly Magazine, Tilloch's Philosophical Magazine, Young's Annals of Agriculture, &c.

Mr Lofft was liberal and consistent in his politics; and most generous in his strictures, and benevolent in his conduct towards men of genius and letters. If his feelings erred, the failing was always on the side of charity. Few have distinguished themselves for such a length of time in so many various branches of intellectual occupation. Mathematics, classics, law, poetry, music, criticism, all by turns employed his pen, from early youth to his latest hour. The great painter's advice was strictly followed by him: "No day without a line." As a lawyer, he was indefatigable, until he in a great measure abandoned that rugged road, to devote himself to the Muses' "primrose path," at Troston. He was a sound scholar; and to the office of critic he brought great judgment, excellent taste, and a mind stored with an amazing mass and variety of knowledge. As a poet, particularly in the sonnet, he was an enthusiast, and, perhaps too fastidious and refined, though certainly not without genius, and considerable powers of versification. His acquaintance with men of talents and learning was very extensive. Sir Philip Francis held him in great esteem, and was in correspondence with him to the latest period of Sir Philip's life. Unwearied in his own literary pursuits, Mr Lofft was not less so in assisting and fostering those of others. Many eminent scholars of the present day have derived consider

RICHARD PAYNE KNIGHT, Esq.

In his youth, Mr Knight's constitution was so peculiarly delicate and feeble, that few hopes were entertained of his ever reaching the years of manhood. His father, accordingly, would not suffer him to be sent to any school, nor would he allow him to enter on the study of the classical languages. Before Mr Knight attained his 14th year, however, his father died, and he was sent to school the following year, where he made a most rapid progress, and became a perfect master of Latin; but during the first four years devoted very little of his attention to Greek. Part of this time he spent in travelling; but though he probably intended to make a more extensive tour, he remained chiefly in Italy. In his eighteenth year he sat down seriously to the study of the Greek language, with which, in a few years, he became profoundly acquainted. He did not make study, however, the business of his life, but devoted his principal attention to the management of his estate, and his extensive plantations and improvements at Downton Castle, which he rebuilt. He took great delight in hunting, and was a bold rider; but to all other kinds of field-sports he was totally

indifferent.

recompense. He was ready to afford information on all subjects of learning which were submitted to his judgment; and his observations were always marked by intelligence and acuteness. Mr Knight was anxious to cultivate the acquaintance of those, who, like himself, were distinguished by their knowledge and talents in the Fine Arts. Uvedale Price, Esq. the author of Essays on the Picturesque, &c. was his particular friend; he was also very intimate with the late Sir Joseph Banks and Mr John Kemble. Some literary communications which took place between Mr Knight and Mr Kemble on the state of dramatic performances, and the estimation in which actors were held in ancient Greece, (some of whom were ambassadors, and even legislators,) would, if published, be found well worthy of general attention, not only on account of the theatrical taste of the present period, but as meriting a place in the records of general literature. From his deep researches into the most abstruse and difficult subjects of Heathen Mythology, some persons, who were not sufficiently learned to understand the nature, application, and objects of those researches, have supposed that Mr Knight's moral and religious principles were feeble and unfixed; but whoever has read the preface to his last production, "The Romance of Alfred," must have discovered how very erroneous was that opinion. Mr Knight represented the borough of Ludlow in several successive parliaments. In politics he was a genuine whig, lamenting what he called "the wasteful profusion of the British governments," commencing with that of Mr Pitt; but he combined loyalty to the Sovereign with a strict regard to the rights and interests of the people. In his manners he was reserved,

but not repulsive; warm in his friendships, and social in his disposition. He expired in the 76th year of his age, unmarried, and leaving to the British Museum, (or, in other words, to the British public,) his invaluable collections (of 50,000l. value), including a volume of drawings by the inimitable Claude, which alone cost Mr Knight 1600., and bequeathing his other large possessions to his brother, T. A. Knight, Esq. President of the London Horticultural Society, and to his nephew, T. A. Knight, Esq. jun. Thus honourably terminated the life of a gentleman, which, in his own language," was spent alternately in the indulgences of polished society, and the contemplative tranquillity of studious retirement." Among his works were, An Account of the Remains of the Worship of Priapus lately existing at Isernia in the Kingdom of Naples; to which is added, a Discourse on the Worship of Priapus, and its connexion with the Mystic Theology of the Ancients, 4to, 1786. -An Analytical Essay on the Greek Alphabet, 4to, 1791.--The Landscape, a didactic poem, 8vo, 1794.-Review of the Landscape; also of an Essay on the Picturesque, with practical remarks on Rural Ornament, 8vo, 1795. -The Progress of Civil Society, a didactic poem, 4to, 1794.-Analytical Inquiry into the Principles of Taste, 8vo, 1805.-Monody on the Death of the Right Hon. Charles James Fox, Svo, 1806.-Prolegom. in Hom., a second edition of which has been published in the Classical Journal, with additions and alterations. Many other articles in the Classical Journal, Edinburgh Review, &c.

Mr Knight was occasionally treated with great severity by the critics and satirists. His "Progress of Civil Society" in particular, drew down on him the pointed ridicule of the AntiJacobin, in a popular parody of a

part of his poem. He has been charged also with a fondness for paradox; and exposed himself to much animadversion by not agreeing in the general opinion respecting the merit of the Elgin Marbles.

Mr Knight died at his house, in Soho-Square, on the 28th of April, in the 76th year of his age.

MR SHARP THE ENGRAVER.

William Sharp was born on the 29th of January, 1749. His father was a reputable gun-maker, of Haydon Yard in the Minories, who, observing early manifestations of a talent for drawing in his son William, and not being able to estimate (as indeed no father could estimate) the full extent of those talents, thought only of qualifying him for the performance of that species of engraving which is bestowed on fire-arms, and is technically termed bright engraving, because it solicits attention to itself, and not to the impressions that may be taken from it by filling its incisions with ink. Young William was accordingly apprenticed to Mr Longmate, who practised this species of engraving near the Royal Exchange; and, soon after the expiration of his engagement, our artist (having married a Frenchwoman) commenced business for himself in Bartholomew Lane.

His first essay in engraving was made on a pewter pot. His friends would have qualified the assertion by substituting a silver tankard, but our artist loved truth, and insisted on the veracity of this humble commencement. About this time he became acquainted with John Kaye Sherwin, from whom he no doubt derived much information. At one period he had almost concluded an engagement with Sherwin, as an assistant, but a difference occurring, the negotiation was broken off. After a few years

experience, as his powers deveped, Sharp began to feel himself pable of higher works than dog'sllars, and door and card-plates, and e of his first essays in the superior anch of his art, was to travel all e way from Bartholomew Lane to e Tower of London, make a draw g of the old lion Hector, who had en an inmate of that fortress for out thirty years, engrave from it small quarto plate, and expose the rints for sale in his window,

Mr Sharp left the busy civic haunts ad the hum of Bartholomew Lane, mewhere about the year 1782, for e more salubrious neighbourhood f Vauxhall, where he began to enrave for the Novelist's Magazine, fter the designs of Stothard; contriuted a single plate to Southwell's folio Bible, and soon after felt firmly eated enough on this superior branch o which he had climbed, to underake more important works. In fact, is mind had, by this time, been exanded by the contemplation of good pictures and prints, and he began to

"drink the spirit, breathed From dead men to their kind;"

to look with due veneration at the great works of the old masters; and, finally, to emulate and imitate them. But the removal to the country did not much amend the infirm health of Mrs Sharp, and he soon became a widower, but without children.

His admirable portrait of John Hunter, after Reynolds; his not less admirable Doctors, or Fathers, (as it is sometimes termed,) of the primitive church discussing the doctrine of the immaculate conception, after Guido, the former one of the finest portrait, the latter one of the finest historical, engravings in the world, were both executed in the small house which he occupied near Vauxhall. Here was completed West's Landing of King

VOL. XVII. PART II.

Charles the Second, which Woollet, at his demise, had left unfinished; and here were performed several other works not mentioned by those who have hitherto treated of his biography; among them two solemn dances by torch-light in the Friendly Islands, and some portraits of islanders of the Pacific Ocean, engraved for Captain Cook's last voyage; and a most exquisite work of the oval form, after Benwell, an artist who died young, and of which the subject is the Children in the Wood. The public have not yet done justice either to the design or to the execution of this plate.

Whilst thus living and engraving at Lambeth, our artist became gradually and justly dissatisfied with the scanty remuneration which he received for his plates from the print-dealers, which kept him always poor, although his expenses were moderate; and, his brother dying somewhat unexpectedly at Gibraltar, he became possessed of some property, and was enabled to set about, and to execute and publish for himself, some of those works from Salvator Rosa, Domenichino, and others of the old masters of high character, from the celebrated collection of the late Mr Udney, which, in contributing to the extension of their fame, has established his own. He now effected his removal from Lambeth, to a much greater house in Charles Street, near the Middlesex hospital, and indulged himself in new social connexions, and a somewhat more expensive mode of life.

The exact time when the serenity of his mind and the tenor of his studies began to be invaded by credulous notions concerning the animal magnetism of Mesmer, and the mysteries of Emanuel Swedenborg, has not been ascertained. The mental delusion under which he laboured was, probably, not the result of a moment: nor is it the dates of events of this kind,

T