⚫ of making a decent and comfortable provifion for themselves ⚫ and their families.'-For the particulars of our author's scheme, we refer to his pamphlet. XIV. A Letter to the worshipful, of the commons, LL. D. &c. &c. occafioned by a very extraordinary use of the visitatorial power, in Crewkern deanery, archdeaconry of Taunton, and diocese of Bath and Wells. To which are added, a preface and appendix: tending as well to render the whole affair more intelligible, as to account for the publication of the said letter, at such a distance of time from the event to which it was owing. 8vo. 6d. Baldwin. This relates to a transaction, concerning which we do not think it necessary to be more particular, in a literary journal. XV. An Introduction to the Italian Language. Containing specimens both of prose and verse: felected from Francesco Redi. Galileo Galilei. Eustachio Manfredi. Giampietro Zanotti. Annibale Caro. Antonmaria Salvinni. Rafaello da Urbino. Baldaffare Castiglione. Andrea Navagero. Francefco Guicciardini. Caterino Davila. Nicolo Macchiavelli. Giovangiorgio Triffino. Giovanni Boccaccio. Pietro Metastafio. Lodovico Ariosto. Torquato Tasso. Lorenzo Giustiniano. Michelangelo Buonarrotti. Angelo Poliziano. Lorenzo de Medici. Girolamo Fracastoro. Margherita di Valois, Regina di Navarra. Giovanni della Casa. Lorenzo Bellini. Francesco Petrarca. Giovanni Milton. With a literal tranflation and grammatical notes, for the use of those who, being already acquainted with grammar, attempt to learn it without a mafter. By Giueseppe Baretti. 8vo. 6s. Millar. The author tells us, in his preface to this performance, that ⚫ he intends it as nothing more than an initiatory volume, an easy introduction to the Italian tongue; that he did not compose it to gratify curiofity, but to afsist instruction, and ' facilitate study; and as an apology for his tranflation, he observes, that a free one was not designed, because it would not have answered his end, which is to teach Italian, and not English. Wherefore his book ought to be confidered only as a simple vocabulary, in which light it will not be • useless for want of elegance.' To speak our own sentiments of it, we may say, we have not met with any work of this kind more likely to answer its professed purposes. L XVI. Corruptæ Latinitatis Index, or a collection of barbarous words and phrases, which are found in the works of the most celebrated modern writers in Latin. With an alphabetical table, shewing what words and phrases taken from the classics would have clearly and fully answered their purpose. To which are added, three alphabetical indexes of words and phrafes phrafes, found in Apicius, Lactantius, and Prudentius, which are not to be met with in the most approved Latin classics. By William Maffey, master of a boarding-school at Wandsworth. 8vo. Is. Keith. The author's reading and application, are very evident in this performance; in the course of which he has been pretty liberal of his criticisms on several respectable names, tho' not more so than the nature of his work required: however he has thought it necessary to apologize for the freedoms he has taken in the following manner, wherein also he explains his design in this undertaking. I ingenuously declare, that what • I have done, is not with a view to lessen the esteem and re. putation that such [authors) may have gained in the world, * by their valuable works; from many of whom, I confess, I • have profited not a little in my studies; but that by re marking their overfights and negligences, others may be the * better qualified to avoid them, in what they write in Latin; • and likewife, that scholars in grammar-schools may be di⚫rected in the choice of many words and phrases, where our common dictionaries mislead them." The title, with what is added, as above, will, we appre hend, fufficiently explain the purport of this publication; which will not admit of any extracts that can be either useful, or entertaining, to the major part of our readers. น XVII. ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ; or observations on the English letters. Being an attempt to reform our alphabet, and regulate our manner of spelling; particularly in fuch words as admit the aspiration. Written originally for the use of Meff. Norris and Randolph. By Sayer Rudd, M. D. minifter of Walmer, and master of the academy at Deal, in Kent. 8vo. Is. Davey and Law. Dr. Rudd introduces these observations with the following pofition : 'As every letter is generally supposed to be the mark of fome one simple found, so the name of the letter, in strict propriety, ought likewise to be a fimple found in itself [to help the memory, and facilitate the pronunciation.] Nor • so only, but it feems further necessary, that ALL THE NAMES of the letters, if natural, be fuch as arise directly out • of the powers respectively belonging to the feveral marks, or • letters, themselves.' Upon this principle he proposes, as a reformation to the !common alphabet, that where the fame letter occafionally pofsesses different founds, or powers, they ought to be dalinguished by different nantes: for example, Name. Power. Example. Figure by which distinctions, our alphabet, in what the doctor calls its true and natural state, confiits of no less than nine and twenty letters, which he thinks ought to be distinguished, by character, to the eye; for instance, the soft e might be known from the bard by printing the former with a cerilla. Another addition proposed by our author, is that 'combined, or double letters may be confidered in quantity of fingle • powers, or, at least, as admitting a common name, and consequently a fingle force in the business of spelling; different, however, according to the place in which they stand: just as the 6 theta, & phi, x chi, [and & p阴 among the Greeks." With respect to spelling, he gives this general rule, Spell as you speak, this rule remember ever, The sounds of simples, the parts of compounds, sever. The above may serve as a specimen of the importance of the regulations proposed by Dr. Rudd; but, however specious they might appear to him, this inconvenience may, in fome inftances, arise from such a multiplication of terms, that if the learner should unfortunately have but an indifferent memory, it may possibly be some years before he can retain his hornbook. น XVIII. The whole Duty of an Apprentice: being a companion for a youth of sense. Containing instructions to make him wife, good, and useful, and his master and himself happy. Written occafionally some years fince, by a late chamberlain of London, and now published for a general good, . . 8vo. Is. Withers and Swan. By the style we have been led to look upon this as an old pamphlet, reprinted; tho' some things in it seem incompatible with this idea. "But, whoever was the writer, or whensoever it was written, it is a sensible thing, and might prove a useful one, if the readers it was designed for could be prevailed on to peruse it with due attention. And tho' some of the author's documents are cloathed in homely guise, and may be despised Aby young gentlemen of education, bred up to the genteeler branches of trade and commerce, yet they have a much better tendency than the idle novels, loose plays. and other modern trash, usually found in the hands of young people, and fit only to pervert both their manners and morals. XIX. The Orations of Æschines against Ctesiphon and Demofthenes de Corona. Translated from the original Greek, and illustrated with notes, historical and critical. By Andrew Portal, lecturer of St. Helens, in Abingdon, Berks, and usher of the free grammar-school. 8vo. 5s. Withers. This work is principally designed for the use of those who study the Greek language; and accordingly the length and turn of the periods is every where conformable to the original, except where it was next to impoffible to preserve them in our tongue, without departing too far from our idiom, or falling into obscurity. However, to render the work of more general advantage, Mr. Portal endeavours to keep up, every where, to the purity and idiom of our own language; and by small insertions (generally printed in a different character) to remove now and then little obscurities, under which a bare rendering would have laboured. cept : 1 The notes are, many of them, taken from Potter, Tourreil, &c. and are very useful and pertinent. R XX. An Essay on Architecture; in which its true principles are explained, and invariable rules proposed, for directing the judgment, and forming the taste, of the Gentleman and the Architect, with regard to the different kinds of buildings, the embellishment of cities, and the planning of gardens. 12mo. 35. Osborne. This is a wretched translation of an ingenious book written in French, by P. Laugier, and from the first edition of that book; whereas there is a fecond edition, with confiderable additions and improvements, which render it much more valuable. The first edition made its appearance without the author's name, and as several things were advanced in it contrary to established opinions, his notions were attacked in a work entitled, Examen d'un Efsfui fur I Architecture. In the fecond edition, P. Laugier replies to what was urged by the author of the Examination, illustrates several things laid down in his first, and adds a dictionary, explaining the terms of art, with plates to render them the more intelligible. What the reasons are that induced the English tranflator, to endeavour to pass this tranflation on the public as an original work, we really know not, and must leave our readers to guess. As to the merit of the original work, it's fufficient to say, it is written with fpirit and elegance, and that the author confiders his fubject in a more peculiar way than the generality of those who have treated upon it. R XXI. Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland; containing an impartial account of the most remarkable transactions in that kingdom, from King James VI. his taking up the government in 1577, till his acceffion to the crown of England, in 1603. Together with a discourse of the conspiracy of the earl of Gowry. By David Moyses, for many years an officer of the king's houshold. Now first published from an original manufcript. Edinburgh, 12mo: 3s. Millar. The author of these memoirs was a domestic fervant to King James VI. to whom he dedicates his work. He held an office in that prince's houshold for thirty seven years, which gave him an opportunity of knowing several particulars that * hap . happened at court, or in the country, among which are fome incidents that other historians have entirely overlooked : perhaps as judging them not important enough for theit notice. What he relates is digested according to the order of time wherein things happened: the facts, such as they are, are told in a simple unaffected style, scarce intelligible, in many places, to an English reader; but an air of veracity appears through the whole. R XXII. The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, adapted to the capacities of children. To which is added, an historical account of the lives, actions, travels, sufferings, and deaths of the apostles and evangelifts. Adorned with cuts, designed by the celebrated Raphael, and engraved by Mr. Walker. 12mo. 2s. 6d. Newbery. The design of this work appears to be a good one; nor is the execution without its merit. In the former part of it, viz. the harmony of the evangelists, the four gospels are blended together in one continued narration, (the advantages of which are obvious) still preserving the chronology, as well as the sense and meaning, of each evangelist. It is divided into such sections, for lessons, as are not too short to exercife the faculties of the young reader, nor yet long enough to tire his attention; and each section is terminated with the name of the evangelist from whom it is taken. The other part contains an account of the lives, &c. of the apostles and evangelifts; those of St. Peter and St. Paul, which are given at confiderable length, are collected from the Acts of the apostles. POLITICAL. R XXIII. A Letter to a Friend: giving a concise, but just, account, according to the advices hitherto received, of the Ohiodefeat; pointing out the many good ends this inglorious event is naturally adapted to promote, &c. &c. Boston, New-Eng-land, printed; London re-printed, and fold by J. Noon. 8vo. 6d. The good ends pointed out by this writer, as the probable refult of Braddock's defeat, are, the alarming the American British colonies, awakening in them a fenfe of danger, and exciting them to speed and vigour, in profecuting right methods for guarding themselves, and annoying the French. He has many sensible observations, and what he says in particular of the New-England forces, and the service they have already done to the common cause, seems to deserve the attention of those at HOME, who more immediately ought to attend to whatever may affect our interests in the COLONIES. XXIV. The Expedition of Major-General Braddock to Virginia, with the two regiments of Fialket and Dunvar, being REVIEW, OA. 1755. X ex |