2 cution of our work, fo far as it has yet proceeded; in which it may be seen, that writers of all claffes and defcriptions obtain air confideration; and that cenfure, if it has appeared neceffary, has been given fometimes with reluctance, and generally with a degree of delicacy in the manner, which might palliate, in fome degree, the harfhnefs of the matter. But if this had not been proved fo fully, we contend, that the accufation above ftated could not fairly be deduced from our original declarations. We commenced, indeed, by avowing our principles, and we purposely. declared them ftrongly, as a pledge to the public, that if we were to err on any fide, which yet we meant most studioufly to avoid, it certainly would not be in oppofition to the favourite opinions of our countrymen, or in defiance and contempt of the beft feelings of true Britons, but rather in behalf of them. We made thefe declarations as an affurance to the nation, that they would always find, at least in THE BRITISH CRITIC, a literary regifter, in which their genuine fentiments would be refpected, and in which the moft fcanty measure of justice would not be allotted to those writings which defend their established religion, and the unperverted form of their political conftitution; fuch as they have long enjoyed, and fuch as they have long revered it. Thus were we doubtlefs understood by all who chofe to understand us and in this we furely could be liable to no reproach. Having premised thus much, in justice to ourselves, or for the fake of giving a more complete elucidation of our plan and principles, we fhall conclude the prefent addrefs by a concife view of the progress of British Literature fo far as it has hitherto fallen under our observation: noticing only fuch works as have appeared to us materially to enrich the national ftores. This view we shall exhibit under the several articles of literature which may form the moft convenient arrangement. DIVINITY. This article we place first because we, whether Laymen, or of the Church, all ftrenuously adhere to that old-fashioned fentiment, that of all the studies of man, no one is fo important as that which tends to prepare him for an everlasting state of existence. In Divinity, then we have been fortunate enough to announce, even in this short space, fome works which may be confidered as acquifitions of great value. The first of these was the difcourfe of Dr. Townson*, on the refurrection of our Saviour: a pofthumous work, but one well worthy of the character of the living Author; and tending greatly to clear up a point that has been confidered as obfcure. A volume of fermons from a young, but very industrious Author †, next attracted our attention; and we were happy to bear teftimony that Mr. Gray had well fupported the previous fame acquired by his Key to the Old Teftament, and had elucidated fome difficult points, particularly the much controverted doctrine of the Millennium, with much diligence, and a judgment équally remote from unbelieving cavils, and superftitious credulity. To the fermons of Dr. Difney, though ftrongly tainted with a herefy which we think most pernicious to the Chriftian cause, Unitarianism, and though very hoftile to our establishment, we wished not to deny the merit of imparting clear inftruction on other points; nor are we now unwilling to repeat that commendation. By those who think with him on the fubjects above-mentioned, they certainly will be confidered as a work of value. Dr. Dryfdale, a minister of the established church of Scotland, appears next upon our lift, as having left, like Dr. Townson, a legacy to the public, and, like him, a legacy of confiderablimportance. Dr. Dryfdale's fermons § will rank heree after with those of Blair, Walker and others, whofe * No. I. p. 70. + No. I. p. 87. writings writings of this kind have lately raised the reputation of that pulpit to fuch a height. A little effay on the Happiness of the Life to come, we obferved with pleasure to handle a very difficult fubject in a very rational manner, and to fuggest most powerful motives to right conduct in the prefent life, by conjectures of great probability on the circumftances of a better ftate. The tract is not entirely original, yet has received fuch embellishments from the translator, as to naturalize it fairly in this country. Among the fermons produced by the occafion of the National Faft, many were of a rank of excellence which demands particular notice; hor fhould we omit those of the Bishop of St. David's, and Mr. Hay on the 30th of January . The Faft-fermons, we think it most important to mention, are thofe of the Bishop of Gloucefter, and Dr. Huntingford, Dr, King, Mr. Churton §, and Dr. Maclaine, not meaning to deny that others alfo have merit. A few more of thefe ftill remain for our confideration: and we have only to regret that fingle fermons in general must be paffed over, amidst the multiplicity of articles which folicit our attention, more rapidly than their individual excellence may occafionally deferve. This must also be our apology for not (pecifying in this place any others than fuch as happen to belong to this particular clafs. HISTORY. The treasures of history have received fome valuable acceffions in these four firft months of our lite rary career. Major Dirom's Narrative**, may be expected to fubfift as long as the fame of Lord Cornwallis, and we know not how to affign a longer date. If Spain did not obtain a complete hiftorian, in an Author whom we noticed in the fame number tt, the public has at least gained by that publication a con No. IV. p. 447. § No. II. pp. 220, 221. ++ Ibid. p. 45• + No. I. pp. 25, 28. a 3 No. III. p. 343. ** No. I. p. 5. venient venient book for general information on that fubject. The journal of tranfactions at Port Jackfon, from the papers of governor Phillip, and other principal officers, has at least the merit of undoubted authenticity, and this in fuch documents, is a point of no inferior confequence. Mr. Reeves's hiftory of Newfoundlandt was intended for a particular purpose, that of elucidating a point under difcuffion before parliament, yet is not devoid of information that may intereft even the ge eral reader. The hiftory of ancient Europe by Dr. Ruffel, promifes to complete a fet of books, the modern part of which has been received with general approbation. This part, if the author could expunge the infidelity which difgraces thefe two volumes, and would avoid prolixities, which almoft lead us to fufpect a wifh to make the most of his defign, in confidence of his former reputation, might take its place in all collections of this kind, with its cftablished elder brother of younger time; but, without these cautions, we fear thefe gemini will be feparated by a much more permanent divifion than was affigned to Caftor and Pollux. Of Dr. T. Robertfon's hiftory of Mary Queen of Scots, we fhall pronounce nothing generally Itill our whole review of its contents fhall have been delivered to the public. BIOGRAPHY. a In this branch we have only to record the peculiarity of a very worthy and ingenious man in treating of himself as the late Mr. Pennant ;|| whofe useful and pleating labours will not, we hope, be fufpended for moment by what we faid jocularly, or what may have been any where faid more harfhly, on the fubject of this innocent caprice. ANTIQUITIES. One labourer in the field of oriental Antiquities, and one in that of national refearch, are all that have * No. I. p. 79. + No. II. p. 192. No. IV. p. 406. No. III. p. 237 and IV. 441. || No. I. p. 15: yet yet come under our notice in this department. The first of thefe, Mr. Maurice,* has begun, with great spirit and vigour, an undertaking in which, if, as we are inclined to augur, he improves as he proceeds, he will erect a monument of fame to himself, by the very beft of all methods, that of giving most inftructive information to his countrymen. Indian antiquities afford, in the way they can now be ftudied, an original field for enquirers, and Mr. M. feems to have the fpirit of Columbus in seeking this new world. Mr. Douglas, author of the Nenia Britannica,† has gone into the fubject of antiquities, to be found in the various barrows in this country, with a degree of diligence which cannot eafily be furpaffed: and with a degree of merit, as an artift, in reprefenting to the eye what he difcovers, which we do not recollect to have feen equalled. TRAVELS. The pleafing work of Mr. Hodges on India, in which the skill of an artist is united with the intelligence of a fenfible traveller, leaves us only to regret the fmallness of its fize. Its value, as an acquifition to national information, is far beyond its bulk. Two different authors have endeavoured, from their own obfervations, to delineate to their countrymen the ftate of Paris in the dreadful fummer and autumn of 1792.§ The former of thefe, who writes anonymoufly, has, we think, the fuperiority in ftrength and vivacity of reprefentation, in fome particular fcenes. His work is only the conclufion of one which commenced before our critical existence. The other, which is by Dr. Moore, is, on the contrary, the beginning of one, which is to be concluded at his leifure. It comprifes undoubtedly, as far as it has gone, a variety of information, and will probably be claffed, though not exactly on an equal line, with fome of the fame author's earlier publications. * No. I. p. 1. and No. II. p. 150. |