studies, he returned to his father's house, where he remained two years studying the scriptures in their original languages. When twenty-two he accepted an invitation from Sir John Hartopp, Bart., at Stoke Newington, to take the office of domestic tutor to his son. In this situation he continued five years; and the manner in which he discharged his duty to his pupil, laid the foundation of a friendship which was only terminated by death. Abney House, Stoke Newington.-Dr. Watts' Residence. In his twenty-fourth year, he was chosen assistant to Dr. Isaac Chauncy, pastor of the congregation in Mark-Lane, London. His services proved so acceptable that, in 1702, he was chosen Dr. Chauncy's successor. His delicate constitution, however, rendered it necessary to provide him an assistant; but he continued to perform the duties of his station till a violent attack of fever, in 1712, so shattered his frame, that he was obliged to intermit his services for four years. One happy effect of this visitation was, his introduction to Sir Thomas Abney, who took him to his own house, where, under his care and that of his lady, he was supplied with every comfort that could contribute to the restoration of his health and spirits. Nor was this a temporary act of kindness; for the house of Sir Thomas and that of his widow was the home of Dr. Watts during thirty-six years, the remainder of his life; and it would be difficult to produce an instance of a connection of friendship between literature and opulence so long, so intimate, so free from any discordant or unpleasing feelings, and in which the relation of patron and dependent were so thoroughly obliterated by the perception of reciprocal benefits. His life passed in this retreat with no other variation than that of his public services and his private studies, of which the numerous fruits raised him to a high de gree of popularity. His reputation procured him, without his knowledge, the honor of the degree of doctor in divinity from the universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen, in 1728. His weak constitution, by great care and temperance, held out to a good old age; though increasing infirmities gradually obliged him to relax, and at length to resign his ministerial duties. His congregation, however, would not accept the renunciation of his salary, which, at the same time, he offered. After an almost imperceptible progress of decline, he calmly expired at Stoke Newington, on November 25, 1748, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Sweet is the work, my God, my King, The above is a fac-simile of the hand-writing of Dr. Watts, and is now in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. It is taken from a manuscript copy of his Hymns, sent to Cotton Mather for his inspection before they were published. He was buried in Bunhill-fields burying ground, where a neat monument was erected to his memory, at the joint expense of Sir John Hartopp and Lady Abney. Many admirers of the writings of Dr. Watts, however, were anxious that a statute should be raised in honor of his memory, and selected the new cemetery at Stoke Newington, formed on the site of Abney Park, as the most appropriate spot. The full length figure is nine feet in height, and the doctor is represented in academical costume. The pedestal is thir teen feet high, having the following inscription: "In memory of ISAAC WATTS, D. D., in testimony of the high and last ing esteem in which his character and writings were held in the great Christian community by whom the English language is spoken. Of his Psalms and Hymns, it may be predicted, in his own words, He was born at Southampton, July 17, 1674, and died November 25, 1748, after a residence of thirty-six years in the mansion of Sir Thomas Abney, Knt., then standing on these grounds.-Erected by public subscription." In the south area of Westminster Abbey is erected a monument of white marble to his memory. It is composed of a good bust of the doctor, which is supported at the sides by mourning genii, with inverted torches. Beneath, within a circle, is an alto-relievo of Watts seated in his study, in an attitude of contemplation; with an angel guiding his pen, and unfolding the wonders of creation. PORTSMOUTH. PORTSMOUTH, the principal rendezvous of the British navy, is situated on the west side of the Isle of Portsea, in Hampshire, 72 miles south-west from London. To the west of the island is the bay, called Portsmouth harbor, excelling every other on the coast of England for its spaciousness, depth, and security. The obvious utility of this harbor, in such a situation, caused it to be used at an early period as a station for shipping, and hence the rise of the town of Portsmouth on the narrow inlet by which it communicates with the English Channel. It is also to be observed, that the strait between the mouth of this harbor and the Isle of Wight, forms the celebrated roadstead of Spithead, which is capable of containing a thousand sail at anchor in the greatest security. The original or old town of Portsmouth, surrounded by ancient walls; the modern suburban towns of Portsea and Southsea, respectively situated to the north and south of the original town; and the town of Gosport, on the opposite side of the inlet to the harbor, may all be said to form one cluster of population, probably numbering not less than 70,000. The beach opposite Southsea, being well adapted to sea-bathing, has caused that suburb or village to become a watering-place of some note. The docks, arsenal building-yards, and all the various other establishments concerned in the fitting out and safe-keeping of the national shipping, render Portsmouth an object of wonder to all who see it for the first time. The dockyard includes the great area of one hundred acres. The smithery is a vast building, where anchors are wrought weighing from seventy to ninety hundredweight each. On the anchor-wharf, hundreds of these useful implements are piled up, ready for immediate service. The ropery, where the cordage for the vessels is prepared, is three stories high, fifty-four feet broad, and one thousand and ninety-four feet long. The gun-wharf is an immense arsenal, consisting of various ranges of buildings for the reception of naval and military stores, artillery, &c. The small armory is capable of containing twenty-five thousand stands of arms. There is a naval college, where a hundred scholars in time of war, and seventy in time of peace, are taught; thirty, who are the children of officers, being maintained and educated at the public expense. During war, the number of persons employed in the various establishments connected with the public service at Portsmouth has amounted to five thousand. The principal buildings connected with the arsenal and dockyards, are the commissioner's house, the government house, the victualling office, the port-admiral's house, and the naval and military barracks. The promenade along the fortifications forms one of the most agreeable features of the town. Among objects of curiosity, we may specify the Victory, Nelson's flag-ship at Trafalgar, the Semaphore telegraph, and the house in which the Duke of Buckingham was temporarily residing, when in front of it, he was stabbed to death by Lieutenant Felton, in 1628. The church of Portsmonth is a spacious Gothic structure, with a comparatively modern tower, useful as a landmark to seamen. There are various charitable, literary and scientific institutions connected with the town. ISLE OF WIGHT, LEIGH RICHMOND, &c. THE Isle of Wight, so well known on account of the peculiar beauty of its scenery, is included in the limits of the county of Hampshire. It is separated from the main land by a channel, varying from two to seven miles. The island is about twentythree miles long and thirteen wide, and is diversified by lofty eminences and beautiful and fertile vallies. Newport, the capital, is finely situated nearly in the center of the island, and contains about 5000 inhabitants. Carisbrooke Castle (now in ruins) celebrated as the place of the imprisonment of Charles I, is in the immediate vicinity of this place. Cowes, is the principal port of the island and the point of communication with the main land by way of Southampton. In 787, the Danes first ravaged this island, and they repeated their outrages at intervals during the three succeeding centuries. William the Conqueror gave the island in full sovereignty to his kinsman, William Fitz-Osborne, Earl of Hereford, who ejected all the Saxon proprietors, and granted their lands to Norman retainers. This nobleman was succeeded by his son, Roger, who, engaging in a conspiracy against the King, was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment. William, some time afterwards, probably with the intention of restoring the son of his faithful adherent to favor, sent him his robes at Easter; the Earl, however, to show his contempt of the king's compliment, caused a fire to be made, and burned them; which being reported to the king, he swore, "by the glory of God," that the Earl should spend the remainder of his days in prison, which he actually did, and all his possessions were confiscated. Succeeding sovereigns granted this island to various noblemen, by whom it was as often forfeited in the ceaseless contentions of the middle ages. The Parliamentarian party obtained possession of the Isle of Wight early in their contest with Charles I, and retained it to the conclusion of thee struggle; by which circumstance it enjoyed great tranquility; and while most other parts of the kingdom suffered from the war, land here rose twenty-five per cent. in value, in consequence of the numerous families who took refuge here from the storms of civil discord. BRADING is a decayed village at the head of a haven of the same name, at the eastern end of the island. The annexed engraving shows the appearance of the ancient church, the interior part of which is said to have been commenced A. D. 704. This spot is celebrated as being the scene of the labors of the Rev. Leigh Richmond, and of his "Young Cottager." Mr. Richmond was *Leigh Richmond was born at Liverpool, January 29th, 1772. In consequence of an accident when a child he became lamed in one of his legs during his life. Owing to this, he received the rudiments of his early education under the sole tuition of his |