It is difficult to traverse the elegant walks that surround this gulf of death, without contemplating, that time is drawing us towards the same focus, and that we shall shortly fall into the centre:  that this irregular circle contains what was once generous and beautiful, opulent and humane.  The arts took their rise in this fruitful soil:  this is the grave of invention and of industry; here those who figured upon the stage are fallen, to make way for others, who must follow:  though multitudes unite with the dead, the numbers of the living increase; the inhabitants change, while the genius improves.  We cannot pass on without reading upon the stones, the short existence of our departed friends, perusing the end of a life with which we were well acquainted.  The active motion that veered with the rude blasts of seventy years, slops in this point for ever.

The present rector, who is the third, is the Rev. Charles Newling, and the benefice something like the following: 

     A prebendal stall in the cathedral l. s. d.
      church of Lichfield, 6 0 0
     Eight acres and a half of glebe land,
      at Long bridge, near Birmingham, 32 0 0
     Emoluments arising from the seats of
      the church, 140 0 0
     Surplice fees, 50 0 0
     Easter offerings, 10 0 0
     An estate at Sawley, in the county of
      Derby, under lease for three lives,
      renewable by fine, at the annual
      rent of 66 13 4
                                           ------------
                                            304 13 4
     Out of which is paid to the rector
      of St. Martin’s, in consideration
      fees and offerings once appropriated
      to that church, 15 0 0
                                            -----------
                                            289 13 4

BIRTHS AND BURIALS.

There are many inducements for an author to take up the pen, but the leading motives, however disguised, seem to be pride and poverty; hence, two of the most despicable things among men, furnish the world with knowledge.

One would think, however, there can be no great inducement for a man to write what he is conscious will never be read.  Under this class may be comprehended alphabetical collections, chronological tables, books of figures, occasional devotions, etc. here also I range the lists of officers in Birmingham, the annual sums expended upon the poor, and the present chapter of numbers.  These are intended for occasional inspection, rather than for regular perusal:  we may consider them as deserts served up for a taste only, not a dinner; yet even this rule may be broken by a resolute reader, for the late Joseph Scott, Esq; founder of the trust before-mentioned, assured me, in 1751, that he had perused Bailey’s Dictionary as methodically as he had done Tom Jones; and, though a dissenter, he continued to read the Common Prayer Book from end to end, about twice a year; which is more than, perhaps, the greatest lover of that excellent composition can boast.