handsome manner, the degree of LL. D. by diploma, to which he was presented by the illustrious Dr. Beattie. Whatever may be said of Scotch degrees in general, this was certainly honourable to both parties; as it was wholly gratuitous on the part of the University, and paid solely as a compliment to useful talents and distinguished merit. In the same year the Duke of Marlborough presented Dr. Mavor to the vicarage of Hurley in Berkshire, worth about 100l. per annum. He was likewise appointed master of the grammar school of Woodstock, and successively elected an honorary freeman of that borough, and a member of the Common Council. About seven years ago he was appointed one of the chaplains of the Earl of Dumfries; and held the vicarage of Tyroc in Warwickshire, in the presentation of the Earl of Northampton, for about five years, when he resigned it to a friend.

vours,

This is all the preferment that has hitherto fallen to his lot. He has often remarked, "that the man "who felt himself qualified to be a friend, would not stoop to the meanness of becoming a favou"rite. Though highly grateful for voluntary fahis mind could ill brook the earnestness of "solicitation. Perhaps he might feel that he de"served something better; but by the industrious "application of his talents he has ever, when health "permitted, endeavoured to compensate for the "neglect of those who had it in their power to raise him to that independence which his public and "private

M 4.

"private exertions in favour of government and so❝cial order seemed to merit."

His publications have been very numerous, considering that he is now only in the forty-second year of his age. We believe the following is a pretty correct list. Most of them are still in daily use, and probably will long continue so, and all have been received with a considerable share of public applause. On the peculiar merits of living authors, it becomes us not to speak without reserve, lest flattery or prejudice should appear to guide the pen. Yet it may safely be affirmed, that the tendency of Dr. Mavor's works have all been strictly virtuous, and this alone is genuine fame, or can give real pleasure on a retrospect.

1. Universal Stenography, octavo, 1779.

2. Poetical Cheltenham Guide, 12mo. 1781.

3. Geographical Magazine, published under the adopted name of Martyn, 4to. 1781.

4. Dictionary of Natural History, do. folio, 1784.

5. New Description of Blenheim, with Blenheim, a Poem, 8vo. 1789.

6. Vindicia Landavenses; or, Strictures on the Bishop of Landaff's Charge, 4to. 1792.

7. Poems, 8vo. 1793, not yet published, printed for Robin

sons.

8. Fast Day Sermon, 1793, Svo.

9. Appendix to the Eton Grammar, 12mo. 1796.

10. Thanksgiving Sermon, 1797, 8vo.

11. Historical Account of Voyages, Travels, and Discoveries,

in twenty volumes, 18mo. 1797.

12. British Tourists, in five volumes, 12mo. 1798.

13. Youth's Miscellany; or, a Father's Gift to his Children,

two volumes, 12mo. 1798.

14. British

14. British Nepos, 12mo. 1798.

15. Natural History, for the Use of Schools, 12mo. 1799. 16. Young Gentleman and Lady's Magazine, edited and chiefly written by Dr. Mavor, two volumes, 12mo. 1799. 17. Lady's and Gentleman's Botanical Pocket Book, 12mo.

1800.

13. Plutarch's Lives Abridged, 12mo. 1800.

Many papers and poems in the Gentleman's Magazine, Reviews, and other periodical publications, under various signatures, such as Morva, an anagram of Mavor, Numa's Letters in the St. James's Chronicle, &c. &c. were likewise written by Dr. Mavor. We have seen a letter of thanks to him from Mr. Secretary Dundas for some suggestions respecting emigrants, and the dissemination of democratic principles; and it is a well known fact, that in approbation of Dr. Mavor's principles, Her Majesty lately ordered two complete sets of his works. His correspondence with literary and illustrious characters bas, if we are not misinformed, been pretty extensive. It appears from his letters and papers that the idea of forming associations against levellers and republicans struck him before he knew of Mr. Reeves's plan, which he zealously supported, and he has corresponded with that gentleman on the occasion.

Such are the brief memoirs of this diligent scholar, and very ingenious writer. The biographer is called upon to do justice to the amiable manners, philanthropy of heart, and engaging address of this gentleman. In a more enlarged sphere of action,

and

and under a happier fortune, he might have shone with lustre; but Providence, alike just in what it gives and what it denies, regards solely the heart, and reserves an impartial distribution of its favours to another and a happier state.

MR. ROBERT KER PORTER,

AT a period when the estimation of talents is daily rising, when even the loftiest of our nobility, both male and female, are emulously cultivating the laurel as their proudest emblem of distinction, it is no unpleasing task to contemplate the progress of genius, whatever path it may pursue, even from its earliest dawn to the maturity of perfection. If this country has not been more highly distinguished than others, in the art of painting, it is to be lamented that patronage has been less liberal than nature; for there can be no plausible reason why a RAFFAELLE or a MICHAEL ANGELO should not be born in Britain, where the attributes of a sister art have so gloriously displayed themselves round the brows of a MILTON and a SHAKESPEARE!

Those living painters who now claim the meed of reputation, are either veterans in the art, having attained their utmost altitude of capability; or who, by long and unsuccessful labours, have only been

able

able to secure to their produce the certainty of oblivion. It is therefore a duty which the nation owes to its own fame, to cultivate the blossoms of genius, wherever they are found; and, by divesting envy of its stings, and prejudice of its power, to ripen in the sunshine of public patronage those fruits, which will be honourable to the present age, and gratifying to posterity.

Human vanity generally outstrips the progress of human intellect.: but when that vanity takes possession of disappointed minds, it degenerates into the deadliest poison. It is not, therefore, a matter of aftonishment to the liberal and thinking observer, that an artist, who is yet a YOUTH, (though far adyanced in knowledge, which,cvinces mature intellectual powers) should experience the malignity of his declining contemporarics. But the unfriendly spirit of individual criticism will have little weight, when placed in the scale with popular admiration; and the hundreds who daily contemplate the celebrated picture of this artist,* will, by their opinions, establish a reputation which the whisperings of envy will not have the power to depreciate.

Mr. Robert Ker Porter is the son of an officer of dragoons, who died some years since, leaving an amiable widow with five lovely and promising chil dren: the youngest of the sons is the subject of these memoirs. He was born at Durham; and had just entered his twenty-second year, when, in the short

Now exhibiting at the Lyceum.