RACK, EDMUND, a perfon well known in the literary world by his attachment to, and promotion of, agricultural knowledge: he was a native of Norfolk, a Quaker. His education was common, and he was apprenticed originally to a fhopkeeper: his fociety was feleft in this fituation, and by improving himfelf in learning, his converfation was enjoyed by a refpectable acquaintance. He wrote many effays, poems, and letters, and fome few controversial tracts. At length he fettled, about his 40th year, at Bath in 1775, and was foon introduced to the moft eminent literati of that place, among whom Dr Wilfon and Mrs Macaulay highly efteemed him for his integrity and abilities. In 1777 he publifhed Mentor's Letters, a moral work, which has run through many editions. But this year he gained great celebrity by his plan of an agricultural fociety, which was foon adopted by four counties. He ftill further advanced his fame by his papers in the Farmer's Magazine, and his communications in the Bath Society's papers; a work remarkable for its ingenuity and fpirit. His laft engagement was in the History of Somerfetfhire, where the topographical parochial furreys were his. This work, in 3 vols 4to, was publifhed in 1791, by his colleague the Reverend Mr Collinfon.—Mr Rack died of an afthma in February 1787, aged 52.