to the names of the conjugations, which are themselves examples of the third masculine singular future, from which the rest are formed. After learning these rules, I set them to the paradigms, which they have learned perfectly; they are now declining other regular verbs on that model; and we have taken a general view of the rules for the quiescents. We enter on the defectives to-day; and I propose that they should go through many examples of each. They have already learnt the pronouns, in which, as you know, sir, they have examples of all the affixes, and several of the mosche vechaleb: so that I hope we shall enter on our Psalter before the end of this month. We have every day read some latin author, unless something more than ordinary has prevented. We generally spend about half an hour upon it. One or another of us reads the original, and we inquire into the most difficult passages; which, if they do not understand, I endeavour to explain as well as I can; and that I may be better prepared to do so, I look over the lesson before in the best edition I can get. We have read some passages from Horace, Juvenal, Ovid, and Pliny; but as we propose talking latin, have spent more time in Terence, than in either of the former. To these classics we join Erasmus; whose dialogues if I mistake not, be exceedingly useful to us in our present design. We have, out of respect to Dr. Ker*, spent some time in Bandius; but my

may,

• He was a celebrated theological tutor among the Nonconformists, at whose Academy Dr. Clark had studied.

pupils complain of him as the most difficult author they ever read; for Greek, we have only read the Greek Testament; and this is our business on Saturday afternoons, after Hebrew, when they construe it into Latin. I have Beza before me, and tell them what appears most remarkable on comparing his translation with the vulgar; and to make it yet more entertaining and improving, I also read to them the new English translation, in two volumes, octavo, where the faults, as well as the beauties have some use. We defer the other Greek writers till Mr. Pembroke can join with us, for I propose to begin with the easiest. I give him a Greek lecture every day; he is going over the paradigms of nouns and verbs as perfectly as possible, and reads a book of Greek sentences, arranged. in the easiest method I ever saw: every word is grammatically resolved with the greatest exactness, and references are made to the page of the common grammar where the correspondent rule or example is to be found. I have drawn up most of the Greek vocabulary I proposed, which he is to transcribe and learn by heart; and if he goes on as he has hitherto done, I hope you will find him considerably improved when he returns to St. Albans.

I beg your pardon for enlarging so much, but I am desirous of your thoughts upon my method of teaching thus far; which I beg you will let me have as soon as you can conveniently. I have many other things to say, which my time and paper will not now admit of. Mr. Auther does not go to Waltham, so

that our schemes with regard to Harborough are at an end. The people at Northampton are unanimous in desiring Mr. Norris to come to them; but yet I know not how it will end. I now write from his house, where I have been making a visit, very much to my satisfaction. I earnestly beg your prayers that, in this new employment, I may be furnished with such measures of prudence, diligence, sagacity, and piety as are necessary to carry me through it in the most useful and honourable manner, and am,

Dear and Reverend Sir,

Your most obliged Servant,

P. DODDRIDge.

P.S. Once a month I shall give them a devotional lecture. The first was upon acknowledging God in their studies; the second will be upon secret prayer. Please to communicate this letter to Mr. Wood. I shall be glad of his thoughts on each of the particulars; and, to save myself the trouble of writing, desire he may see any farther account of this kind, which I may send you. My service to him and my other friends with you.

I forgot to observe that they make exercises once a week which are translations from the Latin into English, or vice versa.

FROM THE REV. SAMUEL CLARK.

DEAR SIR,

St. Albans, Sept. 16, 1729. A FORTNIGHT ago I received a packet under your signature, which had first travelled to London, and then posted back to St. Albans, and then again to Cranbrook, where I happened to be. Yesterday Mr. Fitch of Northampton called upon me, to desire me to concur with the congregation of that town to press your removal to them; "for nothing else would satisfy them!" I asked him whether they had no thoughts of Mr. Norris. He told me they had not, nor indeed of any body but yourself, in whom they unanimously centred. I replied, that consideration was of weight, and that I apprehended you might do good service amongst them; but that since you had undertaken to teach academical learning, the sole care of so large a congregation, superadded to that labour, would, I apprehended, be too much for you.

For my own part, I should be heartily glad that the congregation at Northampton were in such good hands, for if they are disappointed, it is well if they do not fall under some weak or bigoted person, and the great esteem they seem to have for you would give you an opportunity of exerting much good influence among them.

I have considered and communicated your account of your lectures to Mr. Warren and Mr. Wood, and hear of no objections; only we wonder how you have

read so many of the classics as you mention in so short a time, especially when but half an hour at a time is spent upon them. Would not spending more time upon each be better, to give a due notion of the spirit and genius of the author.

I heartily pray of God that you may have wisdom and grace to fill up both your new stations in the most advantageous manner, both for His glory and the good of those who may come under your care, and am,

Dear Sir,

Your affectionate humble Servant,

S. CLARK.

FROM THE DISSENTING CONGREGATION OF CASTLE HILL, NORTHAMPTON.

September 28, 1729.

The church of Christ in Northampton sendeth greeting:

REV. SIR,

THE dispensation of God's providence towards us in suffering the removal of our late Pastor is very awful, and, we hope, hath lain with weight upon our hearts. It hath urged us to make prayer and supplication, that God, the great shepherd, would appear, and direct us in this difficult and weighty matter, and send among us one whom He will eminently own, and make a great blessing unto us.