HARWOOD, EDWARD, Dr., an Arian minister of considerable attainments, but whose moral repu tation was far from unblemished. He was bom in 1729. After residing in Bristol and other places as a classical teacher and a preacher, he removed to London, where he died 1794, in very reduced circumstances. Besides a small volume on the various editions of the Greek and Roman classics, which passed through four editions in his lifetime, he published two works in connection with Biblical literature :—(t.) A Liberal Translation of the New Testament ; being an attempt to translate the Sacred Writings with the sante freedom, spirit, and elegance, with which other English translations from the Greek classics have lately been executed : the design and scope of each author being strictly and im partially explored, the free signification and force of the Original critically observed, and, as much as possible, transferred into our language, and Mt whole elucidated and explained upon a new and rational plan : with select notes, critical and ex. planatory, London, 1768, 2 YON. 8vo. As a ver
bose and absurd travesty of the Sacred Volume (though not so intended by the translator, who appears to have been the dupe of his own bad taste, and incapacity for appreciating the divine simplicity of the inspired writers), it stands, and will ever stand, unsurpassed. How far the work sustains the pretensions of the title-page may be in. ferred from the following specimens. John the Baptist's annunciation of the Messiah is given thus : ---` Behold yonder is the amiable object of the divine love who is appointed to reform mankind !' John i. 29. The injunction, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,' is liberally translated, Let every one who is endowed with the powers of reason and understanding, employ them in the diligent study of truth and virtue, Mark iv. 9 ; and the parable of the Prodigal Son begins with, 4A gentleman of a splendid family and opulent fortune had two sons,' Luke xv. tr. (2.) A new Introduction to the Study and knowledge of the New Testa»zent, 2 VC'S. Svo, London, 1773.—J. E. R.