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REMAINS OF THE ANCIENT CHURCH IN
DOVER CASTLE.

TRADE is a fluctuating thing; it passed from Tyre to Alexandria, from Alexandria to Venice, from Venice to Antwerp, from Antwerp to Amsterdam and London, the English rivalling the Dutch, as the French are now rival- KENT is an interesting county. In richness, ferling both. All nations almost, are wisely applying them-tility, and natural beauty, it may in many parts disselves to trade, and it behoves those who are in possession pute the claim of South Devon, to be considered the of it, to take the greatest care that they do not lose it. It "Garden of England;" whilst to the lover of history is a plant of tender growth, it requires sun and soil and fine and antiquities it presents a field, certainly unrivalled seasons to make it thrive and flourish. It will not grow like the palm-tree, which, with the more weight and pressure, rises the more. Liberty is a friend to that, as that is a friend to liberty. But the greatest enemy to both, is licentiousness, which tramples upon all law and lawful authority, encourages riots and tumults, promotes drunkenness and debauchery, sticks at nothing to support its extravagance, practises every art of illicit gain, ruins credit, ruins trade, and will in the end ruin liberty itself. Neither kingdoms nor commonwealths, neither public companies nor private persons, can long carry on a beneficial and flourishing trade without virtue, and what virtue teacheth-sobriety, industry, frugality, modesty, honesty, punctuality, humanity, charity, the love of our country, and the fear of GOD.BISHOP NEWTON.

As the mind must govern the hands, so in every society the man of intelligence must direct the man of labour.— DR. JOHNSON.

FOR all the blessings which Almighty God in his mercy bestows upon us, he expects and requires to be thanked. He bestows them for the promotion of his glory, and he would have us give glory to him. In the volume of his book, are noted, both the mercies which we receive, and the

manner in which we receive them. Let us receive all his mercies, especially let us receive his greatest, his spiritual mercies, with thankful and obedient hearts: lest, notwithstanding the promise of the forgiveness of sins, our iniquities be at last visited upon our heads; and that be realized upon us, which was pronounced in righteous judgment upon the family of the aged Eli, "Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me: for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."-BISHOP MANT.

RELIGION, whether, natural or revealed, has always the same beneficial influence on the mind. In youth, in health, and prosperity, it awakens feelings of gratitude, and sublime love, and purifies at the same time that which it exalts: but it is in misfortune, in sickness, in age, that its effects are most truly, and beneficially felt: when submission in faith, and humble trust in the divine will, from duties become pleasures, undecaying sources of consolation; then it creates powers, which were believed to be extinct, and gives a freshness to the mind which was supposed to have passed away for ever, but which is now renovated as an immortal hope. Its influence outlives all earthly enjoyments, and becomes stronger, as the organs decay, and the frame dissolves; it appears, as that evening star of light, in the horizon of life, which we are sure is to become, in another season, a morning star, and it throws its radiance through the gloom, and shadow of death.SIR HUMPHRY DAVY.

WHEN I look into my garden, there I see first a small spire look out of the earth, which in some months' time, grows into a stalk; then after many days' expectation, branches forth into some leaves; at last appears the hope of a flower, which; ripened with many suns and showers, arises to its perfection, and at last puts forth its seed for a succeeding

multiplication.

If I look into my orchard, I see the well-grafted scions vield at first a tender bud; itself after many years is bodied to a solid stock, and under patience of many hard winters, spreads forth large arms; at last being grown to a meet age of vegetation: it begins to grace the spring with some fair blossoms, which falling off kindly, give way to a weak embryo of fruit; every day now adds something to the growth, till it attains in autumn its full maturity. The Great God of Heaven who can do all things in an instant, hath thought good to produce all the effects of natural agency, not without a due succession of time.-BISHOP HALL

in this island. Here was the chief theatre of the Roman power in Britain; though of their magnificence nothing now remains but a few scattered and mouldering ruins. Here the beams of Christianity first illuminated the darkness of paganism in the north; and here was the principal and almost only seat of our maritime greatness and foreign trade. There is, indeed, scarcely a town on its coast, that was not once celebrated in our naval annals; and in our military history the bowmen of Kent were preeminently distinguished. Its antiquarian treasures are almost unnumbered. The princely fortress at Dover was long regarded as " the key and barrier of is the finest specimen of Norman architecture yet the whole kingdom." The keep of Rochester castle remaining; and there is not a district in the county which does not possess either a castellated structure or ecclesiastical relic of another age. The ponderous Cromlech, called "Kits-Cotty House," is one of the most perfect remains of Druidical times existing, either in England or Wales. Canterbury and its antiquities are of other celebrity.

We have been led into this train of thought by contemplating the subject of our engraving-the aged and mouldering church which stands near the Roman Pharos, or watch-tower, on the upper part of the hill, within Dover Castle. From many concurring circumstances, we are almost disposed to assign this structure to a more remote period than the church of St. Martin, near Canterbury, which is generally considered to have been the earliest place of Christian worship in Great Britain. Referring the reader to our account of Dover*, we may remark that little doubt can exist that the site of Dover Castle was a British hill-fortress long previously to the invasion of Cæsar, and the subsequent conquest of this island It is certain that it was one by the Roman arms. of the first places fortified by that people, of which the watch-tower previously mentioned presents an existing evidence.

Many antiquaries are of opinion that the church in Dover Castle was founded by Lucius, a British prince, who possessed the eastern parts of Kent, under the Romans, in the second century. It is impossible to do more than guess at the correctness of this fact, though, as in St. Martin's church, at Canterbury, Roman tiles have been used in constructing the walls, especially the tower. It is, however, not impossible, that Lucius, who is said to have been converted to Christianity about A. D. 172, might have erected this structure in honour of his new religion. But for some centuries afterwards, the blessings of the Christian religion were not fully extended to Britain; which may partly be accounted for by the conquest of the country by the Saxons, after its abandonment by the Romans, in the fifth century. It was not until the close of the following century, when St. Augustine landed in Kent (A.D. 596), that Christianity may be said to have taken firm root in our island. St. Augustine, full of holy zeal, soon converted the Saxon king, Ethelbert, to the true faith; and, moved by his representations, that prince immediately assigned the church within Dover Castle, which, from the security

Sce Saturday Magazine, Vol. III., p. 154,

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of its situation, was then admirably adapted for such a purpose, to himself and his followers, for the celebration of the offices of religion. Divine service having been previously performed within its walls, the church was re-consecrated, and dedicated by St. Augustine to the Virgin Mary. The mission of Augustine seems for some time to have proceeded slowly: Eadbald, the son of Ethelbert, on succeeding to the throne, relapsed into Paganism. He was, however, soon re-converted, when, as some atonement for his errors, he founded a college for twenty-four priests within the castle, as an appendage to the Church. But these ecclesiastics did not long retain possession; for in 690, Withred, King of Kent, removed the foundation to a new structure, which he had erected for the purpose in the adjacent town; considering that religious pursuits jarred with the din and confusion of military life. It is probable that the college in the castle was demolished at the same period, as no trace of its existence remains, nor has it ever been alluded to in any of the subsequent accounts of the place. Three chaplains, who wore the prebendal costume, in virtue of the rank and antiquity of the establishment, continued, however, to be attached to the church, and officiated until the period of the Reformation, when their number was reduced to one. Since 1690, principally in consequence of the dilapidated state of the structure, religious service has been wholly discontinued there.

It is impossible to behold the aged and time-worn ruins of this little Christian temple, surrounded as it is with all the " pomp and circumstance" of military power and defence, without feelings at once forcible and affecting. Whilst contemplating its shattered wall and crumbling tower, fast falling to decay, under the influence of the great destroyer, Time, we are led back to reflect on the circumstances

of its erection, till our mind becomes fixed on the great Author of our blessed Religion; and whilst we have outward demonstration before us of the truth of the preacher's saying, "That one generation passeth away, and another generation cometh, but all is vanity" in this lower world, we are the more forcibly struck with the importance of securing that better world which is promised to the faithful.

Of the existing state of the church, our engraving furnishes an accurate illustration. Its design was cruciform; the tower, which was originally higher than at present, is supported by four arches, of lofty proportion; the pilasters on their north and south sides consist of squared stone, with a bead embracing the front of an elliptic arch. The latter is of a much more recent date than the other arches, which, including their pilasters, are composed of tiles, in the method practised by the Romans. The roof of the building, which extends to a length of about sixty feet, is entirely destroyed. The tower is quadrangular, each side measuring about twenty-eight feet.

The most cursory observer of this structure must remark that it has undergone, at various periods, extensive changes. The original roof appears to have been flat; on its removal, the windows of the church were greatly enlarged and elevated, the roof being rendered loftier. Subsequently, a still more ele vated roof, although more horizontal in its plan than the preceding, was raised, which remained until the last century. Various marks may be traced on the south-west side of the turret, which denote these changes, and it has been observed by an accurate topographer, that the triple columns in the angles of the tower, and the voussures extending from their capitals, also prove that part of the alterations were effected subsequently to the introduction of Gothic architecture into this country.

AHMED, THE COBBLER.

A PERSIAN STORY.

In the city of Isfahan lived Ahmed, the cobbler, an honest and industrious man, whose wish was to pass through life quietly: but he had married a handsome wife, who was far from being contented with his humble sphere. Sittâra, such was her name, was ever forming foolish schemes of riches and grandeur; and though Ahmed never encouraged them, she continued to persuade herself that she was certainly destined to great fortune.

One evening, while in this temper of mind, she went to the Hemmâm, where she saw a lady retiring dressed in a magnificent robe, covered with jewels, and surrounded by slaves. On making inquiry, she learned it was the wife of the chief astrologer to the king. With this information she returned home. Her husband met her at the door, but was received with a frown; nor could all his caresses for several hours obtain a smile or a word: at length, she said; "Cease your caresses, unless you are ready to give me a proof that you really love me."

"What proof," exclaimed poor Ahmed, can you desire, which I will not give?" "Give over cobbling," said she, "turn astrologer; your fortune will be made, and I shall be happy."

"Astrologer," cried Ahmed; "have you forgotten who I am, that you want me to engage in a profession which requires so much skill and knowledge?"

"I neither think nor care about your qualifications," said the wife: "all I know is, that if you do not turn astrologer, I will be divorced from you."

The cobbler remonstrated, but in vain. The figure of the astrologer's wife had taken possession of Sittara's imagination. She dreamt of nothing else. What could poor Ahmed do? He was dotingly fond of his wife; so he sold his little stock, and bought an astrolabe, an almanack, and a table of the signs of the zodiac. He then went to the market-place, crying, "I am an astrologer; I know the sun, the moon, the stars; I can calculate nativities; I can foretell every thing that is to happen."

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A crowd soon gathered round him. friend Ahmed," said one, have you worked till your head is turned?" Are you tired of looking down at your last," cried another, " that you are now looking up at the planets?" and a thousand other jokes assailed his ears.

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The king's jeweller, having lost the richest ruby belonging to the crown, looked forward to death as inevitable. In this state he reached the crowd, and asked what was the matter. Ahmed, the cobbler," said one," is become an astrologer." The jeweller no sooner heard this, than he went up to Ahmed, and said, "If you understand your art, you must be able to discover the king's ruby. Do so, and I will give you two hundred pieces of gold. But if you fail, I will take measures to have you put to death as an impostor."

Poor Ahmed was thunderstruck. He stood long without being able to move, grieving that the wife whom he so loved, had, by her envy and selfishness, brought him to such a fearful alternative; at length he exclaimed aloud, "Oh woman, woman, thou art more baneful to the happiness of man than the poisonous dragon of the desert."

The ruby had been secreted by the jeweller's wife, who, disquieted by those alarms which ever attend guilt, had sent one of her female slaves to watch her husband. This slave, when she heard Ahmed compare a woman to a poisonous dragon, was satisfied that he must know every thing. She ran to her mistress, and cried, you are discovered,

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my dear mistress, by a vile astrologer." related what she had seen and heard. The jeweller's wife went in search of the astrologer, and throwing herself at his feet, cried, "Spare my honour and my life, and I will confess all."

"What can you have to confess to me?" exclaimed Ahmed, in amazement.

"Oh! nothing with which you are not already acquainted. I stole the ruby to punish my husband, who uses me cruelly, and I thought to obtain riches for myself, and to have him put to death. I beg only for mercy, and will do whatever you command.”

Ahmed assumed much solemnity, and said, “Woman, it is fortunate for thee that thou hast come to confess and to beg for mercy. Return to thy house, put the ruby under thy husband's pillow, and thy guilt shall never be suspected." Ahmed followed her home, and told the jeweller that the ruby was lying under the pillow of his couch. The jeweller thought Ahmed must be crazy, but he ran to his couch and found the ruby in the place described. He came back to Ahmed, called him the preserver of his life, and gave him the two hundred pieces of gold, declaring he was the first astrologer of the age.

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These praises conveyed no joy to the poor cobbler, who returned home more thankful for his preservation, than elated by his good fortune. His wife ran up to him, and exclaimed, "Well, my dear astrologer! what success?" "There," said Ahmed very gravely, are two hundred pieces of gold! I hope you will be satisfied now, and not ask me again to hazard my life." Sittara, however, saw nothing but the gold which would enable her to vie with the chief astrologer's wife. “ Courage, my dear husband," she said, "this is only your first labour in your noble profession. Go on, and we shall become rich and happy." In vain Ahmed remonstrated. She accused him of not loving her, and ended with her usual threat of leaving him. Ahmed's heart melted, and he agreed to make another trial. Accordingly, next morning, he sallied forth, exclaiming, as before. crowd again gathered round him, but it was now with wonder, not ridicule; for the voice of fame had converted the poor cobbler into the most learned astrologer of Isfahan.

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While every body was gazing at him, a lady passed by veiled, having just lost at the Hemmam a valuable necklace and ear-rings. She was in great alarm, but being told the story of the famous astrologer, she went up to Ahmed, saying, "Find my jewels, and I will give you fifty pieces of gold." The poor cobbler was confounded, and looked down, thinking only how to escape a public exposure of his ignorance. The lady had, in the crowd, torn the lower part of her veil. He noticed this, and wishing to inform her of it in a delicate manner, he whispered, "Lady, look down at the rent." Ahmed's speech brought at once to her mind how her loss could have occurred, and she exclaimed with delight, Stay here, thou great astrologer, I will return immediately with the reward thou so well deservest." She did so, carrying in one hand the jewels, and in the other a purse. "There is gold for thee," she said, "thou wonderful man, to whom all the secrets of nature are revealed. When thou desiredst me to look at the rent, I recollected the rent near the bottom of the wall in the bath-room, where I had hid them. I can now go home in peace, and it is all owing to thee."

Ahmed returned to his home, again thankful to Providence for his preservation, and fully resolved never again to tempt it; but his handsome wife renewed her entreaties and threats, to make her fond husband continue his career as an astrologer.

About this time the king's treasury was robbed of forty chests of gold and jewels. The officers of state used all diligence to find the thieves, but in vain. The king sent for his astrologer, and declared that if the robbers were not detected by a stated time, he, as well as the principal ministers, should be put to death. Only one day remained. All their search had proved fruitless, when the astrologer was advised to send for the cobbler, who had become so famous for his discoveries." You see the effects of your ambition," said Ahmed to his wife; "the king's astrologer has heard of my presumption, and will have me executed as an impostor."

On entering the palace, he was surprised to see the chief astrologer come forward to receive him, and not less so to hear himself thus addressed: "The ways of heaven, most learned Ahmed, are unsearchable; the high are often cast down, and the low are lifted up; it is my turn now to be depressed by fate, it is thine to be exalted by fortune." This speech was interrupted by a messenger from the king, who desired the attendance of Ahmed. When he came into the king's presence, he bent his body to the ground, and wished his majesty long life and prosperity. "Tell me, Ahmed," said the king, "who has stolen my treasure?" "There were forty thieves concerned," answered Ahmed. "Who were they," said the king, " and what have they done with my gold and jewels?" "These questions," said Ahmed, "I cannot now answer; but I hope to satisfy your majesty, if you will grant me forty days to make my calculations." "I do so," said the king, "but when they are past, if my treasure is not found, your life shall pay the forfeit."

Ahmed returned to his house well pleased, for he resolved to fly from a city where his fame was likely to be his ruin. On imparting this resolution to his wife, she said to him with scorn, "Hear me, Ahmed! I am determined thou shalt not escape; and shouldst thou attempt to run away, I will inform the king's officers, and have thee put to death, even before the forty days are expired. Thou knowest me too well to doubt my keeping my word. So take courage, and endeavour to make thy fortune." The poor cobbler was dismayed at this speech. "Well," said he, "your will shall be obeyed. You know I am no scholar, and have little skill in reckoning; so there are forty dates: give me one of them every night after I have said my prayers, that I may put them in a jar, and by counting them, may always see how many are gone of the few days which I have to live."

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but it was determined to send two men the next night, at the same hour. They reached the house just as Ahmed received the second date, and heard him exclaim, "To-night there are two of them." The astonished thieves fled, and told their still incredulous comrades what they had heard. Three men were consequently sent the third night, four the fourth, and so on. On the last they all went; and Ahmed exclaimed aloud, "The number is complete! To-night the whole forty are here."

All doubts were now removed. Even the captain yielded, and declared that it was hopeless to elude a man thus gifted. He therefore advised that they should make a friend of the cobbler, by bribing him with a share of the booty. His advice was approved of; and an hour before dawn, they knocked at Ahmed's door. The poor man jumped out of bed, and supposing the soldiers were come to lead him to execution, cried out, "I know what you are come for. It is an unjust and wicked deed."

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"Most wonderful man!" said the captain, are convinced that thou knowest why we are come. Here are two thousand pieces of gold, which we will give thee, provided thou wilt say nothing more about the matter." Say nothing about it!" said Ahmed. "Do you think it possible I can suffer such gross wrong and injustice, without making it known to all the world?” Have mercy on us! exclaimed the thieves, " only spare our lives, and we will restore the royal treasure."

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The cobbler started, rubbed his eyes, and being satisfied that he was awake, and that the thieves were really before him, he said in a solemn tone,

Guilty men ye are persuaded ye cannot escape from my penetration, which knows the position of every star in the heavens. Your repentance has saved you. But ye must restore all that ye have stolen. Go straightway, carry the forty chests exactly as ye found them, and bury them a foot deep, under the southern wall of the old ruined Hemmâm. If ye do this punctually, your lives are spared: if ye fail, destruction will fall upon you and your families."

The thieves promised obedience and departed. About two hours after, the royal guard came, and desired Ahmed to follow them. Without imparting to his wife what had occurred, he bade her farewell affectionately, and she exhorted him to be of good cheer.

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A reward suited to their merits awaited Ahmed and his wife. The good man stood with a cheerful countenance before the king, who, on his arrival, Meanwhile, the thieves had received accurate in- immediately said, "Ahmed, thy looks are promising; formation of every measure taken to discover them. hast thou discovered my treasure?" "Does your One of them was among the crowd when the king majesty require the thieves, or the treasure? The sent for Ahmed, and hearing that he had declared stars will only grant one or the other," said Ahmed; their exact number, he ran to his comrades and "I can deliver up either, not both." "I should be exclaimed, "We are all found out! Ahmed has told sorry not to punish the thieves," answered the king: the king that there are forty of us." "There needed" but if it must be so, I choose the treasure.” And no astrologer to tell that," said the captain. "Forty you give the thieves a full and free pardon?" "I chests having been stolen, he naturally guessed that do, provided I find my treasure untouched." "Then," there must be forty thieves: that is all: still it is said Ahmed, "if your majesty will follow me, the prudent to watch him. One of us must go to-night treasure shall be restored." to the terrace of his house, and listen to his conversation with his wife: he will, no doubt, tell her what success he has had in his endeavours to detect us." Soon after nightfall, one of the thieves repaired to the terrace, just as the cobbler had finished his prayers, and his wife was giving him the first date. "Ah !" said Ahmed, as he took it, "there is one of the forty." The thief, hearing these words, hastened to the gang and told them, that the moment he took his post, Ahmed said to his wife, that one of them was there. The spy's tale was not believed,

The king and all his nobles followed the cobbler to the ruins of the old Hemmâm. There, casting his eyes toward Heaven, Ahmed muttered some sounds, which were supposed by the spectators to be magical conjurations, but which were, in reality, the prayers and thanksgivings of a sincere and pious heart for a wonderful deliverance. He then pointed to the wall, and requested his majesty would order his attendants to dig there. The work was hardly begun, when the forty chests were found with the treasurer's seal still unbroken,

The king's joy knew no bounds: he immediately appointed Ahmed his chief astrologer, assigned to him an apartment in the palace, and declared that he should marry his only daughter. The young princess was not dissatisfied with her father's choice; for her mind was stored with virtue, and she had learnt to value the talents which she believed Ahmed to possess. The royal will was carried into execution as soon as formed, and the change did not alter the character of Ahmed. As he had been meek and humble in adversity, he was modest and gentle in prosperity. Conscious of his own ignorance, he continued to ascribe his good fortune solely to the favour of Providence. He became daily more attached to the beautiful and virtuous princess whom he had married; and he could not help contrasting her character with that of his former wife, whom he had ceased to love, and of whose unreasonable and unfeeling vanity he was now fully sensible.

Sittâra saw with despair that her wishes for his advancement had been more than accomplished, but that all her own desires had been entirely frustrated. Her husband was chief astrologer; he was rich enough to enable his wife to surpass all the ladies of Isfahan, whenever she went to the Hemmâm: but he had married a princess, and his former cruel and unprincipled wife was, according to the custom of the country, banished from his house, and condemned to live on whatever pittance she might

chief astrologer's wife at the Hemmâm; thereby affording a salutary lesson to those who admit envy into their bosoms, and endeavour to obtain their ends by unreasonable and unjustifiable means.

In the mean time the good cobbler had been nominated vizier; and the same virtue which had obtained him respect in the humblest sphere of life, caused him to be loved and esteemed in the high station to which he was elevated.

[Abridged from Sketches of Persia.]

HAPPY were it for us all, if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune. The reason wherefore it is not so, I suppose to be, that the same dispo sition which in the one state ferments into pride, in the other is refined into fortitude; and that the cares, which eat the heart, are less injurious to our spiritual nature, than vanities that inflate it and corrupt it.-SOUTHEY. EVERY sensual pleasure, and every day of idleness and useless living, lops off a branch from our short life.JEREMY TAYLOR.

THE cares, and toils, and necessities, the refreshments and delights, of common life, are the great teachers of common sense: nor can there be any effective school of sober reason, where these are excluded. Whoever, either by elevation of rank, or peculiarity of habits, lives far removed from this kind of tuition, rarely makes much proficiency in that excellent quality of the intellect. A man who has little or nothing to do with other men, on terms of open and free equality, needs the native sense of five, to behave himself with only a fair average of propriety. History of Enthusiasm.

receive from a man whose love and esteem she had forfeited. These thoughts distracted her, and she now became anxious only for his destruction. An Ir hath been observed by wise and considering men, that opportunity of attempting to indulge her revengeful wealth hath seldom been the portion, and never the mark feelings was not long wanting. Her designs, how-to discover good people; but that Almighty God, who ever, were discovered, but her guilt was pardoned. disposeth all things wisely, hath of his abundant goodness She was left with a mere subsistence, a prey to dis- hath enriched with the greater blessings of knowledge and denied it (He only knows why) to many, whose minds he appointment; for she continued to the last to sigh virtue, as the fairer testimonies of his love to mankind.for that splendour she had seen displayed by the IZAAK WALTON.

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THE CRATER ON THE PEAK OF TENERIFFE. See page 131. LONDON Published by JOHN WILLIAM PARKER, WEST STRAND; and sold by all Booksellers.

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