CHAPTER IX. 



At last, then, the book, which was literally the work 

 of a lifetime, was published. 



Its reception was not equivocal. One of the most 

 striking as well as prophetic testimonies to its value 

 came, soon after its appearance, from Dr. Scrope 

 Beardmore, Warden of Merton College, Oxford ; who 

 said to a nephew of the author's, " Your uncle has 

 sent into the world a publication with nothing to 

 call attention to it but an advertisement or two in 

 the newspapers ; but, depend upon it, the time will 

 come when very few who buy books will be without 

 it " — a prediction which has been singularly fulfilled. 



Thomas White fulfilled his promise to review 

 his brother s book in' the January and February 

 numbers of the 'Gentleman's Magazine' for 1789, 

 pp. 60, etc., 144, etc.; his notice being written in 

 very good taste, as coming from a brother, and not 

 too laudatory. 



The pleasure which the congratulations of his 

 friends gave the author must have been, however, 

 sadly marred by an occurrence which was nearly 



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