astronomy, chemistry, and in short, of most of the branches of the Newtonian philosophy.

Mechanical exercises were the favourite amusements of his infant years. At a very early age, he made himself acquainted with the use of edged tools so perfectly, that notwithstanding his entire blindness, he was able to make little wind-mills; and he even constructed a loom with his own hands. In a most agreeable intimacy, and frequent intercourse, which I enjoyed with this accomplished blind gentleman, I had an opportunity of repeatedly observing the peculiar manner in which he arranged his ideas, and acquired his information.. Whenever he was introduced into company, I remarked that he continued some time silent: the sound directed him to judge of the dimensions of the room, and the different voices of the number of persons that were present. His distinction in these respects was very accurate, and his memory so retentive, that he seldom was mistaken.

I have known him instantly recognise a person, on first hearing him speak, though more than two years had elapsed since thetime of their last meeting.

He determined pretty nearly the stature of those he was speaking with, and the direction of their voices; and he made tolerable conjectures of their tempers and dispositions, by the manner in which they conducted their conversation. It must be observed that this gentleman's eyes were not totally insensible to intense light; the rays refracted through a prism, when sufficiently vivid, produced certain distinguishable effects on them: the red gave him a disagreeable sensation, which he compared to the touch of a saw. As the colours declined in violence, the harshness lessened, until the green afforded a sensation, which was highly pleasing to him, and which he described as conveying an idea similar to what he felt on running his hand over a smooth polished surface.

Polished surfaces, meandring streams

and gentle declivities, were the figures by which he expressed his ideas of beauty: Rugged rocks, irregular points, and boisterous elements, furnished him with expressions for terror and disgust.

He excelled in the charms of conversation, was happy in his allusions to visual objects, and discoursed on the nature, composition, and beauty of colours, with pertinence and precision.

Dr. Moyes was a striking instance of the power the human soul possesses, of finding resources of satisfaction, even under the most rigorous calamities, though involved in "ever during darkness," and excluded from the charming views of silent, or animated nature; though dependant on an undertaking, for the means of his subsistence, the success of which was very precarious in short, though destitute of every other resource but in his genius, and under the mercenary protection of a person, whose integrity he suspected, still Dr. Moyes was always chearful, and apparently

happy. Indeed it must afford much pleasure to the feeling heart, to observe this hilarity of temper prevail almost universally with the blind.

Though cut off from the ways of men, and the contemplation of the human face divine," they have this consolation, they are exempt from the discernment and contagious influence of those painful emotions of the soul, that are visible. on the countenance, and which hypocrisy itself can scarcely conceal. This disposition, likewise, may be considered as an internal evidence of the native worth. of the human mind, that thus supports its dignity and chearfulness, under one of the severest misfortunes that can possibly befal us.

Anecdote of Lord Chief Justice Holt.

In the reign of Queen Anne, in the year 1704, several free-men of the borough

of Aylesbury had been refused. the liberty of voting at any election, for a member of parliament, though they proved their qualifications as such: the law, in this case, imposes a fine on the returning officer, of one hundred pounds, for every such offence. On this principle, they applied to Lord Chief Justice Holt, who desired that the officer should be arrested. The Hof C, alarmed at this step, made an order of their house, to make it penal for either judge, counsel, or attorney, to assist at the trial. However, the Lord Chief Justice, and several lawyers, were hardy enough to oppose this order, and brought it on in the court of King's Bench. The House, highly irritated at this contempt of their order, sent a sergeant at arms, for the judge to appear before them; but that resolute defender of the laws bade him, with a voice of authority, begone. On which they sent a second message, by their speaker, attended by as many members as espoused the measure.