ness, in the "Dunciad." Besides the many productions of Dr. Newcomb reprinted in that collection, he was author of several poems of merit; particularly of "The last Judgment of Men and Angels, in twelve books, after the manner of Milton," 1723, folio, adorned with a fine metzotinto portrait; of another, "To her late majesty queen Anne, upon the Peace of Utrecht;" "An Ode to the memory of Mr. Rowe," and another, "To the memory of the countess of Berkeley." He also translated several of Addison's Latin poems, and Philips's "Ode to Mr. St. John."

After Dr. Young had published his celebrated satires, Mr. Newcomb, who was very intimate with him, printed, 1. "The Manners of the Times, in seven Satires." 2. An Ode to the Queen, on the happy accession of their Majesties to the Crown," 1727. 3. "An Ode to the Right Honourable the Earl of Orford, on Retirement," 1742. 4. "A Collection of Odes and Epigrams, &c. occasioned by the Success of the British and Confederate Arms in Germany,' 1743. 5. "An Ode inscribed to the Memory of the late Earl of Orford," 1747. 6. "Two Odes to his. Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, on his return from Scotland, and on his Voyage to Holland," 1746. 7. "A Paraphrase on some Select Psalms." 8. "The Consummation, a Sacred Ode on the final Dissolution of the World, inscribed to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury," 1752, 4to. 9. "A Miscellaneous Collection of Original Poems, Odes, Epistles, Translations, &c. written chiefly on political and moral subjects; to which are added, Occasional Letters and Essays, formerly published in defence of the present government and administration," 1756, a large volume in 4to. 10. "Vindicta Britannica, an Ode on the Royal Navy, inscribed to the King," 1759, 4to. 11. "Novus Epigrammatum Delectus, or Original State Epigrams and Minor Odes, suited to the Times," 1760, 8vo. 12. "The Retired Penitent, being a poetical Version of one of the Rev. Dr. Young's Moral Contemplations. Revised, approved, and published, with the Consent of that learned and eminent Writer," 1760, 12mo. 13. "A congratulatory Ode to the Queen, on her Voyage to England," 1761, 4to. 14. "On the Success of the British Arms. A congratulatory Ode addressed to his Majesty," 1763, 4to. 15. "The Death of Abel, a Sacred Poem, written originally in the German language, attempted in the style of Milton," 1763, 12mo. 16. In 1757, he published "Versions of two of Hervey's

Meditations," in blank verse. And, in 1764, the whole of them were printed in two volumes, 12mo, inscribed to the right hon. Arthur Onslow, sir Thomas Parker, and lady Juliana Penn. Mr. Nichols also supposes, that Dr. Newcomb was the author of "A Supplement to a late excellent poem, entitled Are these things so?" 1740; and of "Preexistence and Transmigration, or the new Metamorphosis; a Philosophical Essay on the Nature and Progress of the Soul; a poem, something between a panegyric and a satire," 1743. Dr. Newcomb died probably about 1766, in which year his library was sold, and when he must have been in his ninety-first year.'

NEWCOME (WILLIAM), an eminent prelate, descended from a non-conformist family, was born at Barton-le-Clay, in Bedfordshire, April 10, 1729, and educated at Abingdon school. In 1745 he entered of Pembroke college, Oxford, but removed some time after to Hertford college, where he took his degree of M. A. in 1753, and became a tutor of considerable eminence. Among other pupils who preserved a high respect for his memory, was the late hon. Charles James Fox. In 1765 he took his degrees of B. D. and D. D. and was appointed chaplain to the earl of Hertford, then lord lieutenant of Ireland, who conferred on him, within a year, the see of Dromore. In 1775, he was translated to Ossory, and in 1778 produced his first work, "An Harmony of the Gospels," which involved him in a controversy with Dr. Priestley respecting the duration of our Lord's ministry, Dr. Priestley confining it to one year, while the bishop extended its duration to three years and. a half. In 1779 Dr. Newcome was translated to the'see of Waterford; and in 1782 published "Observations on our Lord's conduct as a divine Instructor, and on the excellence of his moral character." This was followed, in 1785, by "An attempt towards an improved version, a metrical arrangement, and an explanation of the Twelve Minor Prophets," 4to, and in 1788, by "An attempt towards an improved version, a metrical arrangement, and an explanation of the prophet Ezekiel," 4to. He published also about the same time "A Review of the chief difficulties in the Gospel history respecting our Lord's Resurrection,' 4to, the purpose of which was to correct some errors in his "Harmony." In 1792 he published at Dublin one of his

most useful works, "An historical view of the English Biblical translations; the expediency of revising by authority our present translation; and the means of executing such a work," 8vo. Concerning the latter part of this scheme there are many differences of opinion, and in the learned prelate's zeal to effect a new translation, he is thought, both in this and his former publications, to have been too general in his strictures on the old. He lived, however, to witness Dr. Geddes's abortive attempt towards a new translation, and the danger of such a work falling into improper hands. For the historical part, the bishop is chiefly indebted to Lewis, but his arrangement is better, and his list of editions more easily to be consulted, and therefore more useful. Except a very valuable Charge, this was the last of Dr. Newcome's publications which appeared in his life-time. In January 1795 he was translated to the archbishopric of Armagh. He died at his house in St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, Jan. 11, 1800, in the seventy-first year of his age; and was interred in the new chapel of Trinity college. Soon after his death was published his "Attempt towards revising our English Translation of the Greek Scriptures, or the New Covenant of Jesus Christ," &c. The writer of his life in the Cyclopædia says that this work" has been made the basis of an "Improved Version of the New Testament, published by

Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, &c." much to the mortification, as we have heard, of some of the archbishop's relatives;" nor will our readers fail to sympathize with them, when they are told that this "Improved version" is that which has been so ably and justly censured and exposed by the Rev. Edward Nares, in his "Remarks on the Version of the New Testament lately edited by the Unitarians," &c. 1810, 8vo. Archbishop Newcome's interleaved Bible, in four volumes folio, is in the library at Lambeth-palace. He was, unquestionably, an excellent scholar, and well-qualified for biblical criticism; but either his zeal for a new version, or his views of liberality, led him to give too much encouragement to the attempts of those with whom he never could have cordially agreed, and who seem to consider every deviation from what the majority hold sacred, as an improvement. '

NEWCOURT (RICHARD), author of that very valuable work the "Repertorium Londinense," deserves some notice,

1 Gent. Mag. vol. LXX-Rees's Cyclopædia.

although we have been able to recover very few particulars of him. We have, however, on his own authority, that he was one of the proctors general of the court of arches, from Trinity term 1668. He probably was the "Richard Newcourt, gent." who assisted in publishing "An exact Delineation of London," &c. in 1658, and if so, was of Somerton, in the county of Somerset. He was for twenty-seven years principal registrar of the diocese of Canterbury, and notary public, and generally resided in Doctors' Commons, but died at Greenwich in February 1716, considerably advanced in life, if the preceding dates are correct. His "Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense," was published in 2 vols. fol.; the first in 1708, and the second in 1710. It would be quite unnecessary to enlarge on the merits of this most useful work.'

NEWDIGATE (SIR ROGER, BART.), of Arbury in War. wickshire, an elegant scholar, and an eminent benefactor to the university of Oxford, was born May 30, 1719. He was the seventh and youngest son of sir Richard Newdigate, bart. by his second lady Elizabeth, daughter of sir Roger Twisden, bart. In his sixteenth year he succeeded, in title and estate, his elder brother, sir Edward. Sir Roger was at that time a king's scholar at Westminster school, where by his own choice he continued three years, and then entered of University college, Oxford. Here he was created M. A. in May 1738, and afterwards set out on one of those continental tours which his classical knowledge and fine taste enabled him to turn to the best advantage, by accumulating a vast collection of monumental antiquities, and drawings of ancient ruins, buildings, statues, &c. Of these last there are two ample folios in his library at Arbury, the produce of his indefatigable and accurate pencil. He also brought home some curious antique marbles and vases of exquisite workmanship (some of which are engraved in Piranesi, where his name occurs several times), casts from the most admired statues at Rome and Florence, and copies of many celebrated paintings, particularly a fine one of the famous Transfiguration, by Raphael, which adorns the magnificent saloon at Arbury.

Shortly after his return in 1742, he was unanimously elected knight of the shire for the county of Middlesex; but in the next parliament he was, on lord Cornbury's

1 Noble's Suppl, to Granger.Gough's Topography-Lysons's Environs.

being called up to the house of peers, elected in 1751 to succeed him as representative for the university of Oxford, an honour which few men knew better how to appreciate. In no place, and on no occasion, is the purity of election more sacredly guarded than in the choice of members to represent that university, where to make declarations, to canvass, to treat, or even to be seen within the limits of the university during a vacancy, would be, in any candidate, almost a forfeiture of favour. In the case of our worthy baronet, he remained ignorant of being proposed and elected, until he received a letter from the vicechancellor, Dr. Browne, master of University college, by one of the esquire beadles. In the same independent manner he was re-elected in 1754, 1761, 1768, and 1774, during which last year, he was in Italy. On the dissolution of parliament in 1780, being advanced in years, and desirous of repose, he solicited his dismission, retired from public life, and was succeeded by sir William Dolben. He died at his seat at Arbury, Nov. 25, 1806, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.

He married twice, first in 1743, Sophia, daughter of Edward Conyers, of Copt-hall, in Essex, esq. who died in 1774; and secondly, in 1776, Hester, daughter of Edward Mundy, of Shipley, in Derbyshire, esq.; but having no issue by either, the title became extinct.

Although he retired from public life in 1780, his ample and richly-stored library appears to have afforded him sufficient employment, and he preserved his critical taste. and acumen to almost the last period of his life. Among his employments, not many years before his death, was an examination of Whitaker's account of Hannibal's passage over the Alps. He had himself twice crossed these stupendous mountains, and was much dissatisfied with some, parts of the route which Whitaker had assigned to Hannibal, particularly where that author leads him from Lyons to Geneva (every step, as sir Roger said, out of his way) and therefore he drew up a succinct account of the march of the Carthaginian, conducting him from Lyons up the river to Seissel, thence to Martigni, and so to the great St. Bernard, and to Aouste (Auguste) of which in his own tour he had many drawings. Such had been his early application, and such his powers of memory, that the best classics seemed as familiar to him when he was past fourscore, as if just come from Oxford or Westminster. But these were