which breathes through his discourses, the seraphic fire which glows in his aspirations, may be too refined, may be too warm for the cool and rational taste of the present day; but the ardency of this divine heat is a strong proof of the natural sensibility of his heart, and of the sincerity of his religious professions. Nor is the genius of Norris, as a poet, at all inferior to that of his contemporaries ; specimens of genuine poetry, whose fire and sublimity are barely excelled by the Paradise Lost, are displayed in his Miscellanies.".

In much of this panegyric we cordially agree, but doubt whether the revival of Mr. Norris's works would be beneficial either to religion or philosophy. It cannot, however, be denied, that men of a similar cast of mind may be greatly benefited by some of his works; and we know that some of our most eminent divines have formed their theòlogical studies upon them. Mr. Norris left a widow, two sons and daughter. His eldest son was rector of Little Langford, and vicar of the two Chilterns, in Wiltshire. His second son, Thomas, was also a clergyman, and some time minister of Stroud, in Gloucestershire. They have both long been dead, as well as their mother, who died at the house of Mr. Bowyer, vicar of Martock, in Somersetshire, who married her daughter.

His works were, 1. "The picture of Love unveiled," already mentioned. 2. "Hierocles upon the golden verses of the Pythagoreans," Oxford, 1682, 8vo. 3. "An idea of Happiness, in a letter to a friend, inquiring wherein the greatest happiness attainable by man in this life doth consist," London, 1683, 4to. 4. "A Murnival of Knaves; or Whiggism plainly displayed and burlesqued out of countenance," London, 1683, 4to. 5. "Tractatus adversus Reprobationis absolutæ Decretum, novâ methodo & succinctissimo compendio adornatus, & in duos libros digestus," London, 1683, 8vo. What follows in this treatise after the third chapter of the second book, is a declamation spoken in the public schools, commending the Roman senate for banishing all mathematicians out of their dominions. 6. "Poems and discourses occasionally written,” Lond. 1684, 8vo. 7. An English translation of the four last books of "The institution and life of Cyrus," from Xenophon, Lond. 1685, 8vo. The four first books were translated by Mr. Francis Digby, of Queen's college. 8. "A collection of Miscellanies, consisting of Poems,

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Essays, Discourses, and Letters occasionally written," Oxford, 1687, 8vo. The fifth edition, carefully revised, corrected, and improved by the author, was printed at London, 1710, in 8vo. This has been the most popular of all his works, and affords the picture of a truly amiable mind. 9. "The theory and regulation of Love, a moral essay,' Oxford, 1688, 8vo. 10. "Reason and Religion; or the grounds and measures of Devotion considered from the nature of God and the nature of man, in several contemplations. With exercises of devotion applied to every contemplation," Lond. 1689, 8vo. 11. Reflections upon the conduct of human life with reference to the study of learning and knowledge; in a letter to the excellent lady, the lady Masham," Lond. 1690, 8vo. To which is subjoined a "Visitation sermon on John xi. 15. preached at the Abbey Church at Bath, July the 30th, 1689. The "Reflections" were reprinted with large additions, in 1691, 8vo. 12. "Christian blessedness; or discourses upon the Beatitudes of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," Lond. 1690, 8vo; to which he subjoined, "Cursory reflections upon a book called An Essay concerning Human Understanding.' 13. "The charge of Schism continued; being a justification of the author of Christian Blessedness,' for his charging the Separatists with Schism, notwithstanding the toleration. In a letter to a city friend," Lond. 1691, 12mo. 14. "Practical discourses upon several divine subjects, vols. II. and III." The third volume was printed in 1693, 8vo. 15. Two treatises concerning the divine light. The first being an answer to a letter of a learned Quaker (Mr. Vickris), which he is pleased to call A just reprehension to John Norris for his unjust reflections on the Quakers in his book entitled Reflections upon the conduct of human life, &c. The second being a discourse concerning the grossness of the Quakers' notion of the light within, with their confusion and inconsistency in explaining it," Lond. 1692, 8vo. 16. "Spiritual counsel; or the father's advice to his children," Lond. 1694, 8vo; which was at first composed, as he observes in the Advertisement before it, for the use of his own children. 17. "Letters concerning the Love of God, between the author of the Proposal to the Ladies,' and Mr. John Norris ; wherein his late discourse, shewing that it ought to be intire and exclusive of all other loves, is further cleared and justified," Loud. 1695, 8vo. The second edition,

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corrected by the authors, with some few things added, was printed at London, 1705, 8vo. The lady, whose letters are published in this collection, was Mrs. Astell. "Practical Discourses; vol. IV." Lond. 1698, 8vo. To which he subjoined "An Admonition concerning two late books, called A Discourse of the Love of God,'" &c. 19. "An Essay towards the Theory of the Ideal or Intelligible World; considering it absolutely in itself. Part I." Lond. 1701, Svo. "The Second Part, being the relative part of it; wherein the intelligible World is considered with relation to human understanding; whereof some account is here attempted and proposed," was printed at London, 1704, 8vo. 20. "A Philosophical Discourse concerning the Natural Immortality of the Soul, wherein the great question of the Soul's Immortality is endeavoured to be rightly stated and cleared," Lond. 1708, 8vo. Mr. Dodwell returned an Answer to this piece, in the Appen dix to his book entitled "The natural Mortality of the Human Souls clearly demonstrated from the Holy Scriptures, and the concurrent Testimonies of the Primitive Writers," Lond. 1708, 8vo. 21. "A Treatise concerning Christian Prudence; or the Principles of Practical Wisdom fitted to the use of Human Life, designed for the better Regulation of it," Lond. 1710, 8vo. 22. "A Practical Treatise concerning Humility; designed for the Furtherance and Improvement of that great Christian Virtue, both in the Minds and Lives of Men," Lond. 8vo. There are some of his letters to Mrs. Thomas, in "Pylades and Corinna," vol. II. p. 199.1

NORTH (DUDLEY, THIRD LORD), who appears to be the first of this family entitled to notice in a work of this description, was born in 1581, and succeeded his grandfather Roger, second lord North, in 1600. From the biographer of the family, we learn that " he was a person full of spirit and flame, yet after he had consumed the greatest part of his estate in the gallantries of king James's court, or rather his son, prince Henry's, retired, and lived more honourably in the country, upon what was left, than ever he had done before." He is said, however, in another authority, to have carried into the country with him the dregs of an old courtier, and was capricious, violent, vindictive, tyrannical, and unprincipled. In 1645 he

1 Biog. Brit.-Letter in Europ. Mag. for May, 1797.

pears to have acted with the parliament,. and was nominated by them to the administration of the admiralty, in conjunction with the great earls of Northumberland, Essex, Warwick, and others. He died Jan. 16, 1666, being then eighty-five years of age, and was buried at Kertling, or Cartlage. He lived to see his grandchildren almost all grown up, and Francis, the second of them, beginning to rise at the bar. He was the author of a miscellany in prose and verse, entitled "A Forest of Varieties, first part," 1645; a second part had the title of " Exonerations ;" and a third part included "Privadoes, or Extravagants." The whole were reprinted in 1659. The prose, says lord Orford, which is affected and obscure, with many quotations and allusions to Scripture and the classics, consists of essays, letters, characters in the manner of sir Thomas Overbury, and devout meditations on his misfortunes. The verse, though not very poetic, is more natural. Sir E. Brydges, in his "Memoirs of the English Peerage, has given considerable extracts from this publication, it is by no means common, and as it lays open many traits of the noble author's life and character, with much energy, feeling, ability, and eloquence." He appears likewise from these essays and letters to have been perfectly conscious of the errors of his early life, although he might not be able to conquer his temper in old age.'

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NORTH (DUDLEY FOURTH LORD), son of the preceding, had a learned education in the university of Cambridge. He had been made knight of the Bath as early as 1616, at the creation of Charles prince of Wales, and had stood as the eldest son of a peer, at the state in the house of lords, at sixty-three, and was an eminent instance of filial duty to his father, before whom he would not put on his hat, or sit down, unless enjoined to do it. He was bred in the best manner; for besides the court, and choicest company at home, he was sent to travel, and then into the army, and served as a captain under sir Francis Vere. He sat in many parliaments, until secluded by that which condemned the king. After this he lived privately in the country, at Tostock, in Suffolk; and towards the latter end of his life, entertained himself with justice-business, books, and (as a very numerous issue required) œconomy.

1 Collins's Peerage, by sir E. Brydges.-Park's edition of the Royal and Noble Authors.

He published a little tract on that subject, entitled “Observations and advices Economical," Lond. 1669, 12mo. Afterwards he published another tract, entitled "Passages relating to the Long Parliament," with an apologetic, or rather recantation preface; for he had at first been active against the King. He wrote also the "History of the Life of Edward Lord North, the first Barou," Lord Orford says, "sensibly, and in a very good style,” though this critic seems to think he fails in impressing the reader with much respect for his ancestor. After his death appeared a volume of essays, entitled "Light in the way to Paradise; with other occasionals," Lond. 1682, Svo. These essays shew that he was steadfast in his religion, that of the established church, and led an exemplary life. He outlived his father ten years, and died June 24, 1677. By his wife Anne, daughter and co-heir to sir Charles Montagu, he had a numerous family, of which six sons and four daughters lived to maturity. Three of his sons form the subject of the ensuing articles.'

NORTH (FRANCIS), lord Guilford, lord keeper of the great seal in the reigns of Charles II. and James II. was the second son of the preceding, and was born about 1640. He had his grammar learning, in which he was a great proficient, at Bury-school, whence he was admitted a fellowcommoner of St. John's college, in Cambridge, in 1653. His conversation is said to have been remarkably agreeable and facetious, while his diligent advancement in his studies afforded him more solid claims on the esteem of the society. But, as he was originally designed for the law, after two or three years spent at the university, he was removed to the Middle Temple. Here he applied with great diligence to the main object, yet continued to improve himself in history, classics, and languages. He acquired French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch, and became not only a good lawyer, but was esteemed very accomplished in mathematics, philosophy, and music. He used to say, that, if he had not diverted his attention by these studies, and by the practice of music particularly, he should never have been a lawyer. He used to spend much of his early vacations with his grandfather, who loved to hear him talk of philosophy, and the news of London. The biographer

1 Collins's Peerage, by sir E. Brydges.➡ Park's edition of the Royal and Noble Authors.