EDWARDS, GEORGE, fellow of the royal and antiquarian societies, was born at Stratford, a hamlet belonging to Westham in Essex, on the 3d of April 1694. After having spent some time at school, he was put apprentice to a tradesman in Fenchurch street. His master, who was eminent both for his piety and skill in the languages, treated him with great kindness; but about the middle of his apprenticeship, an accident happened which totally put a stop to the hopes of
young Edwards's advancing himself in the way of trade. Dr Nicolas, a person of eminence in the physical world, and a relation of his master's, happened to die. The Doctor's books were removed to an apartment occupied by Edwards, who eagerly employed all his leisure hours, both in the day and great part of the night, in perusing those which treated of natural history, sculpture, painting, astronomy, and antiquities. The reading of these books entirely deprived him of any inclination for mercantile business he might have formerly had, and he resolved to travel into foreign countries. In 1716, he visited most of the principal towns in Holland, and in about a month returned to England. Two years after, he took a voyage to Norway, at the invitation of a gentleman who was disposed to be his friend, and who was nephew to the master of the ship in which he embarked. At this time Charles XII. was besieging Fredericksburg; by which means our young naturalist was hindered from making such excursions into the country as otherwise he could have done, for the Swedes were very careful to confine such strangers as could not give