The Annual Biography and Obituary

On the life of Sir Herbert Croft, much research has been bestowed; and a variety of facts relative to the late Dukes of Northumberland and Marlborough are here detailed, not hitherto known to the Public.

The memoir of the founder of the Literary Fund, comprehends an analysis of his works; while that of the late Dr. William Thomson was in part compiled from materials which he himself had furnished, and in part from repeated communications with his early contemporaries. The latter will be found to contain anecdotes of several of his friends; and, indeed, it is connected with the literary history of England during the last thirty-five years. The article respecting the Right Hon. John P. Curran, is from the pen of a gentleman to whom he was well known; while that of the Hon. Henry Erskine exhibits a specimen of his early poetry, which is now printed, for the first time, from a copy transcribed by his own hand.

Nor ought it to be omitted, that on most occasions an analysis will be found of the chief works of many of the literary men here noticed; together with occasional quotations of the most splendid passages in their respective productions.

The " Neglected Biography," exhibits two or three specimens that may not prove wholly uninteresting. One of the memoirs contains all the Latin poetry, as well as the few anecdotes that could be still obtained, relative to a singular youth, who, like the Roman Marcellus, appeared above the horizon

only for a moment; and then suddenly disappearing, like his own countryman Crichton, left scarcely a trace behind.

Neither in this, nor the preceding volume, is it meant to urge any pretensions beyond the humble claims of industry and impartiality. It is earnestly hoped, therefore, that but few errors will occur; and no particular bias be discovered, either in respect to politics or religion.

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