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know all men, and all things that are transacted; or for one who frequents much society in common rooms, at public fires,wing coffee houses, assignations, clubs, &c. where the characters of men and their works are frequently discussed but the author, (alas! is so far from frequenting such com pany and topics, that he is as it were dead to the world, and utterly unknown in person to the generality of scholars in Oxon. He is likewise so great an admirer of a solitary and retired life, that he frequents no assemblies of the said university, bath no companion in bed or at board, in this studies, walks, or journeys; nor holds communication with any, unless with some, and those very few, of generous and noble spirits, that have in some measure been promoters and encouragers of this work; and, indeed, all things considered, he is but, a degree different from an ascetic, as spending all or most of his time, whether by day or night, in reading, writing, and divine contemplation, However, he, presumes, that, the less his company and acquaintance is, the more impartial his endeavours will appear to the ingenious and learned, to whose judgments only he submits them and, himself." ༔ ན་མཎྜ

But, as unconnected as Wood represents himself with all human things and persons, it is certain that he had his prejudices and attachments, and strong ones too, for certain notions, and systems; and these prejudices and attachments will always be attended with partialities for, or against those who shall be found to favour or oppose such notions or systems. They had their influence upon Wood, who, though he always spoke to the best of his judgment, and often with great truth and, exactness, yet sometimes gave way to prejudice and, prepossession. Among other freedoms, he took some with, the earl of Clarendon, their late chancellor, which, exposed him to the censure of the university. He had observed in the life of judge Glynne, that "after the, restoration of Charles II. he was made bis eldest serjeant at law, by the corrupt dealing of the then chancellor," who was the earl of Clarendon: for which expression, chiefly, the succeeding earl preferred an action in the vice-chancellor's court against him for defamation of his deceased father. The issue of the process was a hard judgement given against the defendant; which, to be made the more public, was put into the Gazette in these words: Oxford, July 31, 1693. On the 29th instant, Anthony Wood was condemned in the vice-chancel

lor's court of the university of Oxford, for having written and published, in the second volume of his book, entitled Athenæ Oxonienses,' divers, infamous libels against the right honourable Edward late earl of Clarendon, lord high chancellor of England, and chancellor of the said university; and was therefore banished the said university, until such time as he shall subscribe such a public recantation as the judge of the court shall approve of, and give security not to offend in the like nature for the future: and his said book was therefore also decreed to be burnt before the public theatre; and on this day it was burnt accordingly, and public programmas of his expulsion are already affixed in the three usual places." An historian who has recorded this censure says, that it was, the more grievous to the blunt author, because it seemed to come from a party of men whom he bad the least disobliged. His bitterness had been against the Dissenters; but of all the zealous Churchmen he had given characters with a singular turn of esteem and affection. Nay, of the Jacobites, and even of Papists themselves, he had always spoken, the most favourable things; and therefore it was really the greater mortification to him, to feel the storm coming from a quarter where he thought he least deserved, and might least expect it. For the same reason, adds the historian, this correction was some pleasure to the Presbyterians, who believed there was a rebuke due to him, which they themselves were not able to pay. Wood was animadverted upon likewise by Burnet, in his Letter to the bishop of Litchfield, and Coventry, concerning a book of Anthony Harmer (alias Henry Wharton, called A Specimen of some Errors and Defects in the History of the Reformation,&coupon which, in 1693, he published a vindication of himself, which is reprinted before the second edition of his f Athens Oxonienses." Б r 2013DU90 VIG191i odi Tol ssjaun) Lus As a collector Mr. Wood deserves, highly of posterity; indeed we know not any man to whom English biography is so much indebted, although we may allow, at the same time, that he is deficient in judgment and style, His er, rors, in other respects, have been corrected, aud many valuable additions made, from genuine authorities, in the new edition (of which two volumes, quarto, have already been published), by Philip Bliss, Fellow of St. John's-college. Mr. Wood died at Oxford Nov. 29, 1695, of a retention of urine, under which he lingered above a fortnight., The

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circumstances of his death are recorded in a letter of Dr. Arthur Charlett, rector of University-college, to archbishop Tenison this letter, which was published by Hearne, in the appendix to his edition of "Johannis Confratris et Monachi Glastoniensis Chronica," Oxon. 1726, illustrates the character of this extraordinary person, by minutely describing his behaviour at the most important and critical of all seasons. He left his papers and books to the charge of Dr. Charlett, Mr. Bisse, and Mr. (afterwards bishop) Tanner, to be placed in the Ashmolean library.'

WOOD (ROBERT), a polite scholar, and under-secre tary of state in 1764, has a right to a place here, for his very curious "Essay on the original Genius of Homer." Of the particulars of his life, the proper subject for our pages, we reluctantly confess ourselves ignorant; but shall observe, that in 1751, he made the tour of Greece, Egypt, and Palestine, in company with Mr. Dawkins and Mr. Bou verie ; and at his return published a splendid work, in folio, entitled "The Ruins of Palmyra, otherwise Tedmor in the Desert," being an account of the ancient and modern state. of that place; with a great number of elegant engravings of its ruins by Fourdrinier, from drawings made on the spot, This was followed by a similar work respecting Balbec. Speaking of the abovementioned friends, he says, "Had I been so fortunate as to have enjoyed their assistance in arranging and preparing for the public the' substance of our many friendly conversations on this subject (Homer) I should be less anxious about the fate of the following work: but, whatever my success may be in an attempt to contribute to the amusement of a vacant hour, I am happy to think, that, though I should fail to answer the expectations of public curiosity, I am sure to satisfy the demands of private friendship; and that, acting as the only survivor and trustee for the literary concerns of my late fellow-travellers, I am, to the best of my judgment, carrying into execution, the purpose of men for whose memory [ shall ever retain the greatest veneration; and though I may do injustice to those honest feelings which urge me to this pious task, by mixing an air of compliment in an act of duty, yet I must not disown a private, perhaps an idle consolation, which, if it be vanity to indulge, it would be in

Life written by himself, and other information prefixed to the first volume of Mr. Bliss's edition, and so copious as to render every other reference unnecessary.

gratitude to suppress, viz. that, as long as my imperfect descriptions shall preserve from oblivion the present state of the Troade, and the remains of Balbec and Palmyra, so long will it be known that Dawkins and Bouverie were my friends."

Mr. Wood was meditating future publications relating to other parts of his tour, especially Greece, when he was called upon to serve his country in a more important station, being appointed under-secretary of state in 1759, by the earl of Chatham; during the whole of whose prosperous administration, as well as in those of his two immediate successors, he continued in that situation.

Mr. Wood had drawn up a great part of his "Essay on Homer" in the life-time of Mr. Dawkins, who wished it to be made public. "But," says Mr. Wood, "while I was preparing it for the press, I had the honour of being called to a station, which for some years fixed my whole attention upon objects of so very different a nature, that it became necessary to lay Homer aside, and to reserve the farther consideration of my subject for a time of more leisure. However, in the course of that active period, the duties of my situation engaged me in an occasional attendance upon a nobleman (the late earl Granville), who, though he presided at his majesty's councils, reserved some moments for literary amusement. His lordship was so partial to this subject, that I seldom had the honour of receiving his commands on business, that he did not lead the conversation to Greece and Homer. Being directed to wait upon his lordship a few days before he died, with the preliminary articles of the treaty of Paris, I found him so languid, that proposed postponing my business for another time; but he insisted that I should stay, saying, "it could not prolong his life, to neglect his duty" and, repeating a passage out of Sarpedon's speech, dwelt with particular emphasis on a line which recalled to his mind bthe distinguishing part he had taken in public affairs. His lordship then repeated the last word several times with a calm and determined resignation; and, after a serious paase of some minutes, he desired to hear the treaty read to which he listened with great attention; and recovered spirits enough to declare the approbation of a dying statesman (buse his own words) on the most glorious war, and most honourable peace, this country ever saw."

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Mr. Wood also left behind him several MSS. relating to his travels, but not sufficiently, arranged to afford any hopes of their being given to the public. The house in which he lived in Putney is situated between the roads which lead to Wandsworth and Wimbledon, and became the residence of his widow. Mr. Wood purchased it of the executors of Edward Gibbon, esq. whose son, the cele brated historian, was born there. The farm and pleasuregrounds which adjoin the house are very spacious, contain. ing near fourscore acres, and surrounded by a gravel-walk, which commands a beautiful prospect of London and the adjacent country. Mr. Wood was buried in the cemetery near the upper road to Richmond. On his monument is the following inscription, drawn up by the hon. Horace Walpole, earl of Orford, at the request of his widow :

"To the beloved memory of Robert Wood, a man of supreme benevolence, who was born at the castle of Ri verstown near Trim, in the county of Meath, and died Sept. 9, 1771, in the fifty-fifth year of his age; and af Thomas Wood his son, who died August 25th, 1772, in his ninth year; Ann, their once happy wife and mother, now dedicates this melancholy, and inadequate memorial of her affection and grief. The beautiful editions of Balbec and Palmyra, illustrated by the classic pen of Robert Wood, supply a nobler and more lasting monument, and will suc vive those august remains."

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be WOODFORD (SAMUEL), a divine and poet, eldest son of Robert Woodford, of Northampton, gent. was born in the parish of All-hallows on the Wall, London, April 15, 1636; became a coinmoner of Wadhani college in 1653; took one degree in arts in 1656; and in 1658 returned to the Tuner Temple, where he was chamber-fellow with the poet Flatman. In 1660, the published a poem “ On the return of king Charles Hoa After that period, he lived first at Aldbrook, and afterwards at Bensted in Hampshire, joa married and secular condition, and was elected F. R. S. bin Nov. 1664 He took orders from bishop Morley, and ›was soon after presented by Sir Nicolas Stuart, bart. to the rectory of Hartley-Maudes in Hampshire. He was installed prebend of Chichester May 27,01676; made D, D. by the diploma of archbishop Sancroft in 1677; and prebendary of Winchester, Nov. 8, 1680, by the favour of his great

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Nichols's Bowyer.-Lysons's Envirɔns, vol. I.