inefficacy of fuch a meafure." p. 101.

We rather wonder that a Se

nator who thinks fo temperately, fhould judge it right to make a kind of appeal, from the house to the public, by printing his Speech.

ART. 64. Ef an Alarmift. Svo. 90 pp.

2s. Stockdale. 1794.

An application of fables to political purposes. Thus, " Jupiter's altan robbed. A Thief kindled a torch at Jupiter's altar, and then robbed the temple by the light of it, &c." There is nothing that cuts religion like religion itfelf; and there is no weapon fo fatal againft liberty as the language of liberty. Thus our Conftitution has afforded to fome men a text which has helped them to glofs over their feditious defigns. That facred lambent flame which blazes on the altar of our freedom, is fometimes abused to the purposes of the robber, and lights men to the plunder of its ineftimable treafures. When the State is in danger from a levelling fpirit, the cant of liberty is the common place of hypocrify, and a defign to difarm the Conftitution against traitors, often lurks under a falfe zeal for its rights and pri vileges." In this manner is each fable followed, by an application which makes it fubfervient to the communication of political warnings fuited to this period. The collection is concluded by an allegory, in which intemperance is made the prime minifter of Death. It is a long amplification of Gay's 47th Fable, Part I.

LAW.

ART. 65. Hamilton's Juryman's Guide; or the Englishman's Right. Containing the Antiquity, Ufe, Duty, and Juft Privileges of Juries, by the Laws of England. With neceffary Inftructions for Jurymen to make proper Minutes on Trials, fo as to have at one View a clear State of the Proceedings. 8vo. 1s. Second Edition. Hamilton and Co. Crosby and Jordan, London. J. Simpfon, Edinburgh. J. Archer, Dublin. 1794.

This is a republication of a well known pamphlet originally published in 1680, and attributed to Sir John Hawkes, afterwards Solicitor General to King William and Queen Anne. The only thing new in the prefent pamphlet, is the inftructions to Jurymen, the defign of which is fully explained by the title page. We fee nothing in the model of taking notes, preferibed here fuperior to what every fenfible juror would invent for himself.

ART. 66. Obfervations on the Rights and Duties of Jurors in Cafes of Libel, occafioned by fome late Verdicts. By a Barrister at Law. 8vo. Is. G. G. and J. Robinson, 1794.

We cannot but be of opinion that these few sheets were written with the view of perfuading juries that it is their duty in finding a verdict, in cafes of libel, rather to liften to the voice of public prejudice, than to the falutary admonitions of the judge, who fits to advise them. The

pamphlet,

pamphlet, however, is not ill written, and, although we do not agree with the author in all his conclufions, we have found feveral of his obfervations acute, pertinent, and worthy of attention.

ART. 67. The Law of Treafon. A concife and comprehenfive View of the Power and Duty of Grand Juries in Criminal Cafes, to which is added an Abridgement of Lord Coke's Commentary on the Law of TreaJon. 8vo. 15. Crosby, 1794.

A vile and weak attempt to corrupt the fources of justice, in favour of the perfons lately under confinement for treafon.

BOTANY.

ART. 68. A Botanical Nomenclator; containing a fyftematical Arrangement of the Claffes, Orders, Genera, and Species of Plants, as defcribed in the new Edition of Linnæus's Syftema Natura, by Dr. Gmelin of Gottingen. To which are added, "Alphabetical Indexes of the Latin and English Names of the Plants, together with the Names of the Cauntries of which they are Natives; alfo the Number of British Species. By William Forsyth, Junior. 8vo. 6s. Cadell, 1794.

In this work, which feems intended as a mere fcientific index of the genera and fpecies of plants, from the enlarged edition of the Syftema Naturæ, by Profeffor Gmelin, Mr. Forfyth has, in compliance with that author, made fome confiderable alterations, with refpect to the arrangement of particular vegetables. Some of the Linnæan claffes and orders are difcarded, to promote what has been fuppofed a clearer, and more ready plan of arrangement. For the fatisfaction, however, of those who may ftill prefer the original, thofe genera which come under the heads of the abolished orders are marked with the defignation which points out their former fituation. We can by no means exprefs any approbation of this mode of mangling the Linnæan Syftem; and, though we grant that the Claffes Polygamia and Gynandria might admit of being incorporated with fome of the others, this furely ought not to be extended to the Claffes Icofandria and Polyandria, which Mr. Forfyth has thrown together. The diftinction between thefe is perfectly clear, and well explained by Linnæus, and we do not conceive that any poffible advantage can arife from incorporating them. In the index to this publication the English names of the genera are given, as well as the Latin, and the native regions where they are principally found are added. The whole is concluded by an index merely English; which, in a work of this kind, must be allowed to be of confiderable utility.

MISCELLANIES.

ART, 69. Rural Walks, in Dialogues, intended for the Use of young
Perfons. By Charlotte Smith. In Two Volumes.
Cadell and Davies. 1795. -

12mo.

6s.

This entertaining author has now directed her active imagination towards the entertainment and improvement of rational children ; and has attempted, with fuccefs to unite,' as the expreffes herself, *the intereft of the novel with the inftruction of the fchool-book.' The rifing generation ought, indeed, much to exceed their ancestors in the practice of every grace and virtue, fince their libraries (formerly only furnished with the Adventures of Wöglog the great Giant, and the Tales of Mother Goofe), may now boaft of being fupplied by the didactic pens of Berquin, Barbauld, Smith, and other writers above the common rank.

In the work before us, we find fome tales fo interesting (particularly that of Mrs. Widdrington in the 12th dialogue) that we regret the fhort and paffing anecdote, and with it lengthened into the more permanent form of a novel. Diftrefs in comimon life can hardly be pictured more feelingly than in the extract which follows. Eupheme, on her journey to London from the North, with her fick mother, on a melancholy and preffing occafion, had been benighted, in a deep fnow, and with difficulty had obtained entrance into a low manfion, supposed by her driver to be haunted, The Ladies had been admitted by a lean, wretched old man, into a gloomy hall; he had shown them the remains of a wood fire, had left them a morfel of candle, and had locked them in, protefting that he could afford them no other fuccour. The mother feemed to be perifhing with fatigue and inanition. "The terror of

her daughter redoubled, when the perceived that her mother did not anfwer her, but feemed infenfible to her tears and careffes. It was now her turn to exert herfelf; fhe feized the lanthorn in which the candle was expiring, and examined the room in hopes of the knew not what, but from a confufed idea of obtaining fome affistance for her mother. A door on one fide was not locked, though the old man had appeared to lock it. Eupheme opened it; a violent guft of wind rufhed into the room, but all was darknefs beyond. She ventured in a step or two; and by the dull and wavering light the held, thought The faw three or four tall figures in black, ftand against the oppofite wall of the high and fpacious chamber; fhe even fancied that they moved; and, terrified, the retreated haftily, and shut the door, which the endeavoured in vain to lock." The denouement of the tale is well managed. The wretched hoft is only an old mifer, and not a forcerer, the spectres are large bundles of vegetables covered with rugs, and fet against the wall to dry and all ends well.

We will only add, that the extracts of poetry interfperfed through the work are chofen with judgment, and that in the fecond volume there is (at p. 134) a pleafing original fonnet by, our author; and in the next page an elegant, plaintive effufion of a mother's feelings, written by her highly acomplished friend the Hon. Mrs. O'Neil.

ART. 70. The Tineum; containing Eftianomy, or the Art of ftirring a Fire: the Icead, a Mock-heroic Poem. An Imitation of Horace, Ep. I.Lib. I. Epigrams. A Fragment, &c. By C. V. Le Grice, of Trinity College, Cambridge. 12mo. 15. Deighton, &c. Lon

don. 1794.

Qq

BRIT. CRIT. VOL. V. MAY, 1795.

This

This is one of the smallest books we have yet had to review, but by no means the most destitute of amusement. The mock dignity of the author's directions on the important and much-contefted fubject of ftirring a fire, illuftrated as it is by a diagram, and the mathematical pomp of A B C, &c. entertained us a good deal. The author is aware of one inconvenience which his rules may produce: Every object," he fays, "has its dark fide; the good man has his faults; and the rofe has its thorns. In the fame manner, I am fearful, left the introduction of a general knowledge of the art of firing a fire will (fhould) promote fuch a jealoufy of rivalfhip as will degenerate from emulation to envy, and from envy to open war. Debate after debate will enfue, poker after poker will be thrust into the fire, and amidst the efforts to revive it to the fummit of perfection, the fire will be poked out."

The author's poetical effufions are not either fo humorous or fo correct as this little effay. Why he calls his bookling Tineum we have not guessed, unless he means it for a Latinization of Tiny one.

ART. 71. Mifcellanies. By the Rev. William Hett, A. M. and Prebendary of Lincoln. Small 8vo. pp. 217. 35. Crowder, London; Brooks, Lineolu. 1794.

Mifcellanies, indeed! political, poetical, and theological. The firft piece is, The genuine Tree of Liberty, or, The Royal Oak of Great Britain; read at a meeting of loyal fubjects, at the Guild-hall, Lincoln, Dec. 19, 1792. To which are added, general Reflexions.

So far, we find a great deal of loyalty; with many plain truths, enforced by arguments rather juft than new, and with a vehemence fomewhat declamatory. We view, however, performances of this kind, in a favorable light. Effufions, like this, of real patriotifm, and of attachment to our existing Conftitution, are now very seafonable, and will be heard and read with indulgence by all true friends of the people. The authors of them may do much good within their feveral fpheres, though not very far extended; and they who affect to defpife humble endeavours of this kind, would do well to give proof of greater abilities in the fervice of their country.

The poetical part of this book is fmall, comprehending only four original stanzas, added to the two firft ftanzas of the popular fong, "Rule Britannia, &c." We hope the author can fing, with more life and spirit than he writes a fong.

The theological part, which is the bulk of this work, contains a fermon, and fome letters and remonftrances, against Antinomian doctrines, and the teachers of them. The honeft zeal, which the author discovers for the fpiritual welfare of his parishioners, has our approbation; but we have found many occafions for lamenting that this zeal is carried beyond due bounds. It betrays the author into an intemperate vehemence of ftyle, which is unacceptable to us on all fubjects, and particularly theological, p. 147. Neither do we find ourfelves gratified on thefe fubjects, by a perpetual affectation of wit, and a redundance of coarfe farcafm. We cannot perceive what tendency these have, either towards foftening the heart, or enlightening the understanding of an adverfary.

ART.

ART. 12. The Age of Prophecy or further Teftimony of the Miffion of Richard Brothers. By a Convert. 8vo. 46 pp. 18. Parfons, &c. 1795.

Irony; but paltry enough. In one refpect, the author feems to have hit the truth. "It is the defire" he fays "of violent, and illprincipled men, to create diftruft, disorder, and anarchy: and for that purpose a more proper inftrument could not be found than Mr. Brothers; and I really think he is that paffive tool of fome men of the above description, who would ride in the whirlwind, and direct the ftorm," p. 39. The truth is, that in almoft every inftance, we fee democracy, and the real or pretended belief in this creature united. The fhops that fell the pamphlets of Eaton, deal alfo in the prophecies of Brothers. In many cafes it appears, that the contagion of infanity has actually caught the friends of anarchy: how elle has it happened, that a very eminent engraver, whofe political principles are but too notorious, has executed a fine print of Brothers? The infeription of the print ftrongly juftifies the conjecture. It is this," Firmly believing this to be the Man appointed by God, I engrave his likenefs.".

ART. 73. A Ramble through Holland, France, and Italy; in tre Volumes. 12mo. 8s. Cadell; for the Author. 1793 and 1794. No publications are more heartily welcomed by the world, than those which prefent the lively and fentimental lucubrations of an ingenious traveller: and though the number of these productions has multiplied to a confiderable degree within the laft twenty years; yet the great diverfity of incident, occurrence, and reflection, attending a tour through different countries, render it ftill poffible for a spirited obferver of men and manners, to bring, from this beaten round, fome» thing new and diverting to the public. Such was the impreffion under which we took up the volumes before us; and though the cha racter of a Rambler is not always as moral as it was rendered by Johr fon, we indulged a hope, that this Ramble, where leaft correct, would yet be found innocent. We are, however, compelled to re mark, that our expectations are by no means well-founded; for a more loose and vulgar farrago has not often been impofed upon the public. What were the merits of the author, in the eye of his fubfcribers, we pretend not to decide. They probably yielded to fome cogent plea, which has often been urged in fimilar cafes, &c. We doubt, however, whether they will feel themselves perfectly contented, when they fee their names employed to cover a production, which contains many outrages upon probability, and by no means fcrupu lously observes a regard to decorum and morals.

ART. 74. An Agricultural Dictionary, confifting of Extracts from the moft celebrated Authors and Papers. By John Monk, late of the 19th Dragoons of Bear's Combe, near Kingsbridge, Deven. 3 vol. 8vo. al. Is. White, 1794.