SOME ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING WORK. THOMAS SHAW, D. D. was born at Kendal, in the county of Westmoreland, about 1692. He was educated at the grammar school there, and was admitted Batchelor at Queen's College, Oxford in 1711. He received the degree of Batchelor of Arts, July 5. 1716, and of Master of Arts, Jan. 16. 1719. He afterwards took orders, and was appointed Chaplain to the English Factory at Algiers. He remained there for several years, and travelled from thence into various parts of the East. While he was absent in 1727, he was chosen a Fellow of his College, and after his return became Doctor of Divinity, in 1734. He was also in that year elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. He published the first edition of his TRAVELS at Oxford, in 1738, in folio. He also presented the University with some natural curiosities, ancient coins and busts, which he had collected during his his travels. Three of the last of these are engraved in the Marmora Oxoniensia. On the death of Dr FELTON, in 1740, he was nominated by his College, Principal of Edmund Hall, which he raised by his munificence from a ruinous condition. He was also presented at same time to the vicarage of Bramley, in Hampshire, and was Regius Professor of Greek till his death, which took place in 1751. His TRAVELS have been universally esteemed, not only for their accuracy and fidelity, but on account of the illustrations they contain of Natural History, of the Classic Authors, and especially of the Scriptures. They were translated into French, and printed in 4to in 1743, with several notes and emendations communicated by the Author. He published two supplements to them in 1746 and 1747, the latter addressed to Dr CLAYTON, Bishop of Clogher, in Ireland. The contents of these were afterwards incorporated in the second Edition, which, with great improvements and alterations, were prepared for the press by the Author. Death put a stop to his labours, but the Public have reaped the fruit of them. The present Edition is printed verbatim from this second and improved one, published in 1757, but corrected in several respects, particularly in the Index to the passages of Scripture illustrated. Both editions, especially the latter, have become extremely scarce, and have sold at a high price. The The following epitaph on the Author was composed by Dr BROWN, Provost of Queen's College, Oxford, and placed on his Monument in Bramley Church. EPITAPHIUM AUCTORIS. Peregrinationibus variis Per Europam, Africam, Asiamque Et Exuviis mortalibus hic loci Cœlestem in Patriam remigravit Qui Consulibus Anglicis apud Algerenses Mox Coll. Regina inter Socios ascriptus; De Literis quantum meruit Auctor celebratus, Hic, Studiis etsi severioribus Indies occupatus, Horis tamen subsecivis emicuit Optima quanquam Mentis indole Suffragiis comprobatus; Mag Magnatum Procerumque popularium Nec summis in Ecclesià Dignitatibus impar ; XVIII. Cal. Sept. A. D. 1751. Uxor JOANNA, Ed. Holden Arm. Consulis ΤΟ TO THE KING. MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, I BEG leave to approach Your Royal PERSON, with an humble present in my hand, after the fashion of those countries where I have long resided. It is a volume of Travels and Observations, wherein are described the situation, polity, and customs of various nations; nations unacquainted with liberty, and whose government is the very reverse of Your MAJESTY'S wise and gracious administration. I HAD an opportunity of making these Observations, whilst I had the honour of being Your MAJESTY's Chaplain at Algiers. It was in this situation that I first collected materials for the following sheets; and so extensive is Your' MAJESTY'S influence, that it procured me safety and protection, even in countries remote and barbarous. A WORK which owes its rise, its progress, and completion, to these assistances, seems in some degree entitled to Your Royal Favour, and is therefore, with all humility, presented to Your Sacred MAJESTY. WHILST |