The Reader is requested to correct the following Errata

with his pen.

Page 47. paragraph 8. for The Academy for inftructing Dumb, read, inftructing the dumb.

53. In the fifth line from the top-for January 1782, read, January 1783.

75. In the tenth line from the top-for 1782, read, 1781.

98. Letter II. line 9. for the of, read of the.

168. The paper beginning near the bottom of the page for the date, March 22. 1734, read, March 22. 1784.

N. B. In the Letters beginning page 63. and ending 93. ftating a comparative view of Edinburgh in 1763 and 1783, Several amendments, alterations, and additions have taken place fince they were printed for this Collection four years ago. The fubject, indeed, in the nature of things, must be perpetually changing, and the year 1793 may perhaps afford another curious contraft to the other two periods. The fame may be said with respect to the Letter in page 107. ftating a comparative view of the British nation in 1763 and 1783.

FUGITIVE

PIECES.

IN the month of March 1782, the Ministry, who had long held the reins of Government, were forced to give up the direction of state affairs to a powerful Oppofition. Want of fuccefs, in fuch a conftitution as the British, will always occafion difcontents, and a change of men will be held as the best means of insuring more fortunate measures.

LORD NORTH, who was appointed Prime Minifter in February 1770, and had stood the storm of Oppofition for twelve years, was forced to retire from his ftation, thanking the Houfe of Commons for the honourable support they had given him during fo long a period, and in so many trying fituations. He expreffed his grateful fenfe of their partiality and forbearance on many occafions. A fucceffor (he faid) of greater abilities, of better judgment, and more qualified for his fituation, was eafy to be found ;- —a fucceffor more zealously attached to the interefts of his country, more anxious to promote

them

them-more loyal to his Sovereign, and more defirous of preferving the conftitution whole and entire, he might be allowed to fay, could not fo eafily be found.

ON the 30th of March, the Marquis of Rockingham was appointed First Lord of the Treasury -the Earl of Shelburne and Mr Charles Fox Secretaries of State-Admiral Keppel First Lord of the Admiralty-the Duke of Richmond Master of the Ordnance-Mr Burke Paymaster of the Forces -Colonel Barré Treasurer of the Navy, &c. &c.

THE first bufinefs in which the new Ministry engaged was taking measures for making peace with America, and opening negotiations for peace with France and Holland. Admiral Rodney was recalled, who had recently obtained the most glorious victory. over the French that the hiftory of Britain records, and Admiral Pigot fent to take the command of the victorious fleet. Mr Burke brought in a bill for the retrenchment of the Civil Lift expenditure, and a fyftem of public economy, by which the Board of Police in Scotland was abolifhed, and its revenue (as publicly affirmed) was divided in penfions to Mr Burke and Mr Barré.

THE friends of the new Miniftry poured in congratulatory addreffes to the Throne on the change of men and measures. Every Gazette teemed with addreffes from all quarters. The contagion feemed

univerfal

universal in the fouth part of the island, and in a fhort time reached the north, like the Influenza, which accompanied it. The first loyal address (and it was the laft) from Scotland on the fubject, proceeded from the county nearest to England. The example was strenuously urged in Edinburgh by the friends of the new Ministry, and a meeting called by public advertisement for the purpofe; and, had it carried, would probably have been followed by the counties and boroughs throughout Scotland.

To prevent the effects of precipitate clamour and party animofities, the following advertisement was inferted in the Edinburgh news-papers, which proved effectual in ftopping the addrefs (which was written by the late ingenious Mr Crofbie), and there were no others propofed, either from England. or Scotland, after the publication.

Meeting of Refpectable Citizens.

Edinburgh, June 17, 1782.

"IN confequence of repeated advertisements and hand-bills, fetting forth, "That it would be proper "for the inhabitants of this city to present an AD"DRESS TO HIS MAJESTY, on the late change "of MEN and MEASURES," a number of refpectable Citizens, FRIENDS ΤΟ THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION, met, to confider of the proprie

ty