: the service. His passion for the army predominated over every other, and almost every thought of his mind was concentrated in that single point. He at last fell a victim to his heroic gallantry. General Graham, who entertained a just conception of his merit, had commanded him to bring off the detachment that had so long and so bravely defended the fortress of Matagorda. This fortress had been very injudiciously dismantled in part, previous to the arrival of the French. Sensible, too late, of the importance of its position, as it commands the entrance into the inner harbour, it was resolved to defend it; principally with a view to retard the approach of the French towards Cadiz. The detachment employed for this purpose succeeded in keeping possession of the fort for about three weeks. The French employed nearly fifteen days in constructing their batteries; and the first they opened was at the distance of about 1200 yards. Their second battery opened at the distance of about 800 yards: they succeeded in making a breach, and it was their intention to have stormed it. The little garrison had suffered so much, having lost about half its number in killed and wounded, that it became necessary for the remainder to evacuate the place. Major Lefevre recommended that some gun-boats should be employed against the French batteries, both to anuoy the enemy, and to divert their fire during the evacuation. This, however, was unfortunately omitted. The French, therefore, still kept up a tremendous fire upon the fort. The evacuation was effected in good order; and Major Lefevre, continuing in it to the last, was, at the moment of retiring frome it, struck between the shoulders by a thirty-two pound shot, and instantly killed. OCTOBER. In Soho Square, Jonas Dryander, Esq. librarian to Sir Joseph Banks, and to the Royal Society, and a vice-president to the Linnean Society, aged sixty-three. His eminent attainment in that branch of science which he chiefly cultivated, had long placed him in the first rank among the naturalists of Europe; and his catalogue of the Banksian library, which is before the public, will be a lasting monument of erudition, perseverance, and sound judgment. At Ealing, John Williams, Esq. one of the king's serjeants-at-law, a native of Carmarthen, and formerly fellow of Wadham College, Oxford. He was a inan gifted by nature with extraordinary powers of memory and an excellent understanding; to these happy endowments he added the most patient and persevering application to the study of the law; his labours were crowned with success; he became one of the most eminent lawyers of modern times. His luminous expositions, sound deductions, clear reasoning, profound and accurate knowledge in his profession, were justly appreciated, in Westminster Hall, by his colemporaries, and will long be recollected by them with admiration and merited eulogy; but his professional and posthumous fame will not rest on the frail basis of living testimony, his edition of Lord Chief Justice Saunders's Reports will remain to after ages a splendid monument of his intimate acquaintance with the laws of his country. monument At Morden, Surry, Abraham Goldsmid, Esq. Mr. G. was the second son of a respectable Dutch merchant, of the Jewish persuasion, and came over to this country with his father and elder brother. He was born in the year 1757, and as soon as his mind had acquired sufficient powers, was initiated into the principles of merchandize. Tenderly attached to his brother, he became his partner when both were grown up, and when the death of their father left them in possession of a capital that enabled them to venture into bold speculations. Their indefatigable industry and natural acuteness soon improved their fortune, which was greatly augmented by the marriage of the elder Goldsmid with the daughter of Mr. Solomons, of Clapton, who brought him no less a sum than one hundred thousand pounds. From that time their commercial undertakings became more considerable, and in a few years they were ranked among the first men in the monied world. Their increasing riches introduced them to the notice of the administration. Whenever a loan was wanted, the Goldsmids easily supplied a large portion of it; and as the terms on which it was obtained were always advantageous, their fortune kept pace with the facilities which they granted to government. In the purchase and sale of bullion, stocks, navy bills, and exchequer bills, and in negotiating foreign bills of exchange, they also annually disposed of millions, till at last the extent of their speculations, the greatness of their credit, and the liberality of their dispositions, caused them to be placed, without one dissenting voice, at the head of the stock exchange. Thus eminently raised in the public opinion, they incessantly laboured, not to obtain the applause of men, which they already possessed, but that of their own hearts. Charity and benevolence marked all their actions, and their munificence was not confined to the deserving objects of their own nation and belief, but to Christians of every denomination. They supported every public-spirited institution with their subscriptions, and never closed their hearts or their purse to those who wanted assistance, whatever might be their religious principles, Mr. Goldsmid was joint contractor with the house of Sir Francis Baring for the last loan, and taking the largest probable range that he had dealt amongst his friends one half of the sun allotted to him, the loss sustained by the remainder, at the rate of sixtyfive pounds per thousand, which was the price of Thursday, was more than any individual fortune could be expected to sustain. Ever since the decline of omnium from par, Mr. Goldsmid's spirits were progressively drooping; reached five and six per cent. discount, without the probability of recovering, the unfortunate gentleman appeared evidently restless in his disposition and disordered in his mind; and, not finding that cheerful assistance amongst his monied friends which he had experienced in his happier times, he was unable to bear up against the pressure of his misfortunes. Another circumstance that is said to have pressed heavy upon his mind within the last week was, that he had borrowed of the East India Company half a million Dd 2 but when it a million. He had given security for this sum, but the period of redemption had arrived, it was to have been paid off on Friday, and Mr. Goldsmid, it is reported felt considerable difficulty in raising the money. However, it is said there will be amply sufficient, when his affairs are arranged, to pay all debts, and leave a large surplus. His account with government is perfectly clear, and the only loss he appears to have sustained is by the fall of omnium. It is rumoured that Mr. Goldsmid had at one time determined, if possible, to put an end to all his dealings in the Stock Exchange, and to retire to private life. But this determination could not be executed immediately, and in the mean time heavy demands would come against him. His temper, hitherto so equal, became, in consequence, irritable. He lost all his fortitude. Despondency took possession of him, and drove him to the commission of that fatal act which terminated his life. Yet he so far mastered his feelings in company, that his friends and family had not the least apprehension of his committing suicide. He came to town on Thursday, September the twenty-seventh, in his carriage, from Morden, accompanied by his brothers, Edward and Isaac, and his son Moses; and several friends who met him did not observe any thing particular in his manner or appearance. He returned to Morden to dinner, and had company. In the evening he joined in a party at cards, after walking a good deal in his grounds, and giving notice to several of the workmen employed in his large premises that he should soon discharge them. On Friday morning he rose at his usual early hour, and, about halfpast seven o'clock, was observed to pass over the bridge to the wilderness or rookery, in his grounds; and there he perpetrated the fatal deed. His coachman having, as was usual, enquired what horses were to go to town, he was referred to Mr. G. being told at the time which way his master bad walked. The coachman went in search of him, and was the first that found him weltering in his blood, with the pistol grasped in his right hand. Life was not quite extinct, but before the medical assistance which was sent for arrived, he had expired in the arms of his afflicted family; but wholly unconscious of being with them. He has left a widow and several children. He was in his fifty-third year. An inquisition was held, on Saturday, on the body, at his house at Morden. Among the jury were some of the most respectable and intelligent persons in the vicinage. The proceedings lasted but a few minutes, when the following verdict was returned: "Died by his own hand, but not in his senses at the time." His remains were interred in the Jews' burial ground, at Mile End. The hearse, which conveyed the body, passed over London Bridge, followed by the carriage of the deceased, and thirteen mourning coaches, in which were the high priest, the elders of the synagogue, and a great part of the family, except his brothers, who were too much affected to attend. On their arrival at the ground, a number of poor persons had collected to witiress the interment of a man, who had proved not only their particular benefactor, but had studied to render himself useful through life to all classes classes of mankind. The mourners were scarcely able to support themselves. Mr. Alison, the brotherin-law of the deceased, fainted over the body twice, and sunk on the grass, lamenting the dismal event. The high priest and elders paid every distinction in their power to the remains of their departed friend; but in conformity to the Mosaic laws, they withheld from him the customary funeral rites.. Mr. James Beattie, professor of civil and natural history in Marischal College and University Aberdeen, aged forty-three. As a man of science, his attainments were of the highest stamp. He possessed that enlargement and expansion of mind, without which scientific pursuits never can be prosecuted with success; that ardour which stimulates and facilitates every exertion; and that persevering industry which subdues every obstacle. His general knowledge was copious and comprehensive, and applied with sound judgment and accurate discrimination, to every subject which he had occasion to discuss. He commanded a great store of erudition, and was intimately acquainted with the Greek and Latin classics, whose writings he not only perused: with critical skill, but had many of their most brilliant passages recorded in his memory. NOVEMBER. At the Vicarage House, Kentish Town, aged seventy-four, the Rev. Dr. Champneys. He was entered of Trinity College, Cambridge, B.A. 1760, Μ.Α. 1767. He was elected a minor-canon of St. Paul's in 1760; and, after filling several offices in that cathedral, eventually became sub-dean thereof. For nearly fifty years he was minor-canon of Westminster Abbey; and for almost as long a period minor-canon of Windsor. He was successively possessed of the benefices of Kensworth and Caddington, Hertfordshire; Langdon Hills, Essex; and St. Pancras, Middlesex; all in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's. Dr. C. at one period also enjoyed a living from the Dean and Chapter of Windsor, who permitted him to resign it in favour of his eldest sou, the Rev. Weldon C. In the early part of his life he was for a short time minister of the chapel at Market Street, Herts, which he resigned thirty-nine years ago. He also heid for many years, under the patronage of Sir Christopher Whichcot, Bart. the vicarage of Deeping James, Lincolnshire. He was the oldest lecturer in London, having been chosen to the lectureship of St. Bride's in 1767; and was for many years chaplain to the worshipful companies of Goldsmiths, Cutlers, &c. In all his various preferments, Dr. Champneys was very indefatigable in his attention to the duties of his profession.. In Charles Street, Berkeley Square, Francis Baring, Esq. second son of John B. Esq. of Mount Radford, near Exeter. He put an end to his life by shooting himself. At the coroner's inquest, it appeared, by the testimony of two witnesses, that he had been in a desponding state for some time past, arising, as it was suspected, from pecuniary embarrassment. Having sent out his valet to order dinner, Mr. Baring locked himself in his dressing room, and shortly after the report of a pistol alarmed two female servants in the house. The neiglibours broke into the room, and found him lying on his face, dead; a ball having entered his forehead, and shot away part of his head. He had a pistol in each hand, and one was found loaded. Verdict-Insanity. - At Fulharu, aged seventy-threee, Nathaniel Kent, Esq. an eminent land agent, whose morality, strict integrity, and urbanity of manners, added to a conscientious discharge of his professional duties towards landlord and tenant, had long endeared him to numerous friends and acquaintance. At Windsor, November the second, her Royal Highnes the PRINCESS AMELIA, the youngest child of their Majesties. She was born August the seventh, 1783, and was from early youth of a very tender and delicate constitution, being frequently attacked with severe indisposition. In her person she was tall and slender, and her air was most graceful and prepossessing. Illness had impressed its marks on her countenance, and scattered lilies over her cheeks. In her manners she was so mild, elegant, and amiable, as to win every heart. The frequency of her indispositions prevented her from studying as deeply as her eldest sisters, yet she cultivated the fine arts with great success. In music and painting she was a proficient. She met with few rivals on the piano-forte, and displayed a classical taste, both in her selection and execution of pictures. A model of filial piety; her love for her father was revealed in all her 'actions, and was so tenderly expressed a few days before her death, as to occasion' the unfortunate illness under which he still continues to labour. Dignified, though conde scending; benevolent, without ostentation; lively, though a prey to sickness, which usually quenches the spirits as well as the health of youth, she was beloved by all those who lived within the sphere of hearing of her virtues. Some symptoms of the illness which terminated her existence, having revealed themselves early, her royal highness tried the effects of sea-bathing, and derived much benefit from that practice. Her favourite antusement was that of riding, in which she was conspicuous for her elegance and skill. Exercise, however, and all the resources of the medical art, could but delay the fatal hour; her dis"order began to gain ground in an alarming manner upwards of two years ago, and when the first jubilee of his majesty was celebrated, she was lying on the bed of sickness, with but little hopes of recovery. Towards the middle of last summer, however, she regained strength enough to sit up in her apartments, and to take a short walk into the garden. About a month before her decease, her royal highness was attacked with St. Anthony's fire, which brought on a relapse, which afforded her an opportunity of displaying the noblest christian faith and fortitude, during weeks of prolonged agony, uncheered by any ray of hope. During the last few days her strength had been rapidly wasting away; and she closed her eyes as in a kindly sleep. It would be injustice to the memory of this excellent princess, to ascribe all her patience and fortitude to the natural frame of her mind, as the habit of devo tion to which she had been trained and led by parental example, and the true principles of religion which regulated |