in Drury-Lane; which is (as he declares in the preface) a new fabric,
yet built on Shakespear's foundation.

In 1724, for the advantage of an unhappy gentleman (an old officer in
the army) he wrote a paper in the manner of the Spectators, in
conjunction with Mr. William Bond, &c. intitled the Plain Dealer; which
were some time after published in two volumes octavo. And many of his
former writings were appropriated to such humane uses; both those to
which he has prefixed his name, and several others which he wrote and
gave away intirely. But, though the many imagined authors are not
living, their names, and those performances will be omitted here; yet,
in mere justice to the character of Mr. Hill, we mention this
particular.

In 1728, he made a journey into the North of Scotland, where he had been
about two years before, having contracted with the York-Buildings
Company, concerning many woods of great extent in that kingdom, for
timber for the uses of the navy; and many and various were the
assertions upon this occasion: Some thought, and thence reported, that
there was not a stick in Scotland could be capable of answering that
purpose; but he demonstrated the contrary: For, though there was not a
great number large enough for masts to ships of the greatest burthen;
yet there were millions, fit for all smaller vessels; and planks and
banks, proper for every sort of building.--One ship was built entirely
of it; and a report was made, that never any better timber was brought
from any part of the world: But he found many difficulties in this
undertaking; yet had sagacity to overcome them all (as far as his own
management extended) for when the trees were by his order chain'd
together into floats, the ignorant Highlanders refus'd to venture
themselves on them down the river Spey; till he first went himself, to