RALPH (James), a late ingenious historical and political writer, was born, we know not when or where, being first known as a schoolmaster in Philadelphia in North America. He came to England about the beginning of the reign of George I and wrote some things in the dramatic way, which were not received with great applause: but though he did not succeed as a poet, he was a very ingenious prose-writer. He wrote A History of England, commencing with the Stuarts, which is much esteemed; as were his political essays and pamphlets, some of which were looked upon as master-pieces. His last publication, The Case of Authors by Profession, is an excellent and entertaining performance. He died in 1762.