The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-12-28 00:00:00

•

nfliar to him, betote he bad attired at the age of
twenty. He had the liveliest relish for the beauties
of authors, and for the charms of nature ; and had
his life and health been continued, he pt ornised to
rival the foremost chars i.ers of the age, in elegant,
as well as useful litetature.
While engaged in his collegiate studies, in some
of his kisuic hours succeeding, lie prepared and
published, unknown to any, except a few of his most
intimate companions, two duodecimo volumes of
Miscellanin, in prose and verse. To this publica-
tion he did not set his name ; vet, his age consider-
ed, they are entitled to no small estimation : and the
discerning reader may easily see in thent the pro-
nging marks of rising excellence.
His taste was remarkably correa ; his imagina-
tion was warm, fertile, and creative; yet ever re-
sponsive to the dilates of sober judgment and ap-
hroved criticism. From the impulses of a mind, so
ighly and so beautifully endowed, he was doubtless
prompted to the preparation of that poem, which he
entitled, " The Powers of (i-iiisit;" a work to which
he devoted only his hours of leisure during the first
year or two of his pastoral establishment ; and
which he never suffered to interfere with the duties
of his sacred office. This work, as was said by an
elegant encomiast in a neighbouring State, has met
with so favourable a reception, that a second edition
was called for in les, than a year, and a third has
since issued from the Press in London, with every
embellishment that the present advanced state of
" lite: y luxury" can furnish.
Besides this won k, and several others of a smaller
note, he engaged, and that at a time when his con-
stitution had become yet more feeble, and his health
was considerably impaired, in a Correspondence, or
rather, as I may say, advrniurous cones' with Dr.
Priestly. " When it was announced," says the
aforementioned writer, s, that he had entered the
lists in a charaaer so new to him, with an opponent
so well versed in the arts of controversy, and
on sithjeas so important and different, those who
entertained the highest respea for his talents, were
not without anxiety respeding the result. But he
acquitted himself its a manner, which gave general
satistaaion to the friends of wort!), and raised him
in the esteem of all classes of readers."

And here it may not be improper to add ; that,
besides these speeimers of talent sod genius, I am
authori,ed to mention, that he has left behind him

other works in manuscript, which have not received
his finishing improvements, which, for the most
part. are adapted to hi. professional character and
• style of duty, and with which, though ender the
trusty disadvantages of posthumous publications,
we may expeft hereafter to he far -fluted. It may
also be mentioned. that in the aaive projetgions of
his mind, and in his zeal for coatribut n to the
benefit of mankind, he had laid plans of literary
and professional cxertion which, hau he been spared
to execute them, would, tin doubt, have raised him
to a much greater eminence, both as a scholar and
as is divine. The pet turnmances which have already
been presented to the world. so highly raised his
character us the estimation of the trustees of the
University of Pennsylvania, that, without the least
previous knowledge on hits part, they conferred
upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, more
than a year before his death. An honour so high,
at so early an Age conferred, in any country is rare.
I mention it as a testimony, strongly marked, of th,
teputatii it which he had acquired.
As a friend, lie was sincere, faithful, and discreet ;
yet warm, and permanently, as well As warmly at-
tached. He well knew how to sacrifice to friend-
ship; and general y judged with equal liberal's),
and carreaness, when. and in what measure it be-
came him. tie was ever ready to overlook the in-
attentions, or to forgive the inyireilis treatment of
Um ft llow men; and was dike dir,sed to regret aod
to acknowledge the offences winch might have been
imputed to line.
Of this he afforded a very amiable specimen in
the concession, which he made to Dr. Priestly, on
account of some expressions, which, out refleEtion,
Le perceived to be too acrimonious, and rather un-
becoming his year; and what greatly added to his
regret was, that the Daiior departed this life be-
fore he had received a letter of apsgy, which had
been prepared for conveyance.

,111ERIC4.

NEWTORK, OCT. en.
Ca.lain Boyle, of the brig S. IV. arrived at ltd.
timore, in twenty-three days, from the city of Do-
mingo, informs, that he left the city of St. Damicgo
in perfeet tranquillity and safety ; that the Negroes
had not yet made any Movements, nor was it im-
peded, towards that place. Small quantities of
troop. frequently arrived there from Cuba and other
places; that the commissions of privateers from
Clam and Port.. Rico were ordered to be called in,
and urea! Captains of privateers were ordered to
►e • ted by the General in Chief, for their in-
famous conchs& towards neutrals in gencral. Thu
French were in possession of Port-aullat, on the
north silo of the island, and bad driven the Slicks
as far as Monte Christi.
Nov. 15.
NEW-YORK THEATRE.
Messrs. John C. Shaw and Wm. Hendri son,
aging for the Committee appointed by the Pio
primes of the New York Theistic, having off led
the said The tire to Wm. Dunlap, on the terms
expressed in thg following proposals.
rftorosAts

By Wm. Dunlap, Manager of the New York
Theatre, for taming fifty thousand dollars to enable
him to purchase said Theatre from its pima Pro-
prietors.
1. Wm. Dunlap proposes to purchase the New
York Theatre, tot the sum of fifty thousand dollars,
and to raise that sum in the following manner, to
wit :—One hundred shares to be subscribed for, at
SOO dollars each.
11. The said Wm. Dunlap will pay annually to
such subscribers, or their representatives, five per
cent. per annum, for the money by them respeflively
subscribed; and will also give to each subscriber,
fee every share, a free right of admission into the
said Theatre on all nights of performance, benefits
excepted, which tickets shall be transferable for the
season, and be held during life, notwithstanding the
share nrishares of such subscribers shall be redeemed,
as afterwards provided.
111. As a security to the subscribers for their

principal and interest, William Dunlap will mort-
gage to them the said theatre, as the same shall be
puNichased by him; and, in addition thereto, all
the scenery, machinery, decorations, wardrobe,
music, properties, books, te.usical instruments, fur-
niture, and other property, belonging to the said
William Dunlap, now used and employed in the
said theatre.

THEATRE.
EVACUATION or NEW YORK.--In commemora-
tion of that happy event, which restored our exiled
citizens to their tire sides, and gave assurance of
those blessings we now enjoy, will be presented. on
Monday evening, Nov. 26, 1803, the Comedy of
T fie tin/roof.,:n• Sokherc. The anion of which is sup-
posed to have liken place during the American
Revolution.
Major
Valentine
soleby
Officer
Bellamy
I,vderick DI•DonJd.
Mrs. Mackin', . . . . Mrs.Melinutit.
Clara
To which will be added, a Dramatic Drama,
with Songs, Choruses, &c. called Blue Bread; ur,
Female Curran/m.

Abomelique Mr Martin.
Ibrahim Snal.ter.
Se!lin
Shacabac
Hassan
Stave
Farina&
Irene
Bella

The doors will open at half past five, and the
curt:tin rise At half past six.
Mr. Ccop:rr made his first appearance since his
return from Europe, on Monday evening, in the cha-
radler of Macbeth. The house was full to overflow-
ing, and the most lively satisfaelion maniksted ft om
all parts at the return of their favourite to the New
York boards. He went through the part with much
spirit and energy, and discovered an accuracy of
judgment, and nicety of discrimination, that evince
considerable improvement from his transatlantic
excursioa.

Jam Shore, the entertainment of the evening,
promises to be no less attrattive than Marbeti. The
part of lidaiqs, in the hands of Cooper, is a novelty
to the audience here, and, added to the justly ad-
mired performance of MI s. Johnson and Mrs. Mel-
moth, in Jae, and -4/rere, offers a rich treat
to the aniaLeuts of the stage.
AAAAAA ORT (RENI.), MT. 29.
01 Monday last, a special term of the Federal
Court, for the trial of Irving and Alcorn, charged
with passing counterfeit notes, commenced in this
town.
Irviwz had been hail to a c.msiderable amount
(we believ»10,000 dullais), but did not appear, and
consequently forfeited his recognisance. The Court
proceeded to die trial of William Alcorn, who was
found guilty, and sentenced to five years imprison-
ment and hard labour in the Penitentiary-house.
The prisoner', defence was condueled with much
ability by his counsel. Messrs. Talbot and Wood-
;on ; and the prosecution found an able and lads's-
'rimy; advocate in Mr. Daveiss.

1r 01.2 cow se of the trial, a very ingenious and
interesting argument took pl‘ce, on a point of law,
which may prove very important in its cunsequences,
and surely iil not be unattended to by the Legisla-
ture of the Union, with whom alone the power rests
tr • -move the inconveniences which may .arise from
t: ..tecision.

Tne Counsel for the prisoner denied the compe-
tency of an evidence to prove the signature of the
President of the Bank, save that of the cashi,r, who
was the subscribing witness, and consequently the
best evidence the case would admit of.
The Court conceived the areinnents and autho-
rities produced by the Counsel in suppert of this
idea to be conclusive, thee •fore rejet.rted all testi-
mony re•peaing the signature of Lie President of
the Hank, except the cashier's, which being the
highest evidence, the law required that in crimi-
nal trials it should be produced. The Court fur-
ther declared, that the President himself was an in-
terested, and consequently an inconyretent witness
in cases of this nature, unless released by the hold.
er of the note. The cashier not being present,
the Proieentnr lost this important link in the
chain of evidence, and the ditliculty of conviainj,
the Prisoner was much increased thereoy.
Court, however, admitted such other testimony
as went to shew the difference existing between
the genuine and spurious notes ; which was very
satisfaaortly proven in a variety of instances by
the evidence of one of the principal clerks in the
bank of tie United Stafes (sent out to attend the
trial), and that of several other gentlemen, to whom
the notes had been offered—some of whom were
present %%hen the Prisoner was apprehended. It
was further proved. th it the accused had at towed
to pass the notes, after he had been apprised by good
judges that they were bad.
The Jury gave in their Verdia late on Theirs.l3 y
evening; soon after which the Court pronounced
sentence ; having previously refused a new trial, un
the application of his Counsel.
'1 he Prisoner is said to be poor, and we understand
has a large family of small Children ; for which
reason the Court refrained from inflicting a fine.--
Kettestekey Pallidtrin ).

This lisy-ssi I..sy Ihscorawss—s.iefiday at this Pnhlic