View of France; but, if they are tolerably accurate, which the charafter of the author and the reafons given by him, leave us no room to doubt, they undoubtedly contain much important information. The Preface, though fhort, has fome statements and remarks, particularly on the prefent organization of France, which are well worthy of perufal; and a few " fpecimens of the manner in which thefe Tables may become ferviceable", are fubjoined; which fuffieiently explain the author's object, and demonftrate the utility of his work.

ART. 49. Hints for Picturesque Improvements in ornamented Cottages and their Scenery; including fome Obfervations on the Labourer and bis Cottage. In Three Ejays, illuftrated by Sketches. By Edmund Bartell, Efq. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Taylor. 1804.

This will not be allowed, perhaps, to be a fcientific publication on the fubject; but it certainly demonftrates confiderable tafte, good fenfe, and ingenuity. The Sketches which are given of ornamented Cottages, are really elegant and interefting. The book will probably excite fome degree of attention, as ornamented cottages are of late be coming objects of fashionable curiofity. The author fpeaks with becoming refpect of Mr. Repton, to whofe elegant production on Landfcape Gardening, this may be confidered as no unworthy companion. ART, 50. Efays on Hiftory, particularly the Jewish, Affyrian, Perfian, Grecian, and Roman; with Explanations, for the Ufe of young Perfons. By John Holland, 8vo. 408 pp. 5s. Deans, Manchef ter. 1803.

Inftead of " Effays on Hiftory", which is a title by no means clear in its fignification, we should have faid, an Epitome of the Jewish, Affyrian, Perfian, Grecian, and Roman Hiftories. But let us pafs from the title to the work. The firft Effay, on the hiftory of mankind in the earlieft ages, feems calculated chiefly to difcredit, in young minds, the accounts given by Mofes. "In different ages and nations", fays this author, "feven has been a favourite number. The ancient idolatrous Saxons confecrated the feven days to the fun, to the moon, and to five of the planets. Whether Mofes really fancied that the Divine Being required any refi, after the work of the creation, or whether he gave this reprefentation merely in accommodation to notions then common, cannot at this dif tance of time well be difcovered. The formation of the universe appeared to be a laborious operation". P. 9. "Thefe ftories may feem as a kind of evidence for fome fuch convulfion as Mofes has recorded"of the Flood. However this may be, it has usually been supposed, that after the Flood the ark rested upon Mount Ararat". P. 13. In the Bible (Gen. viii. 4) we read, "and the ark refted in the feventh month, on the feventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat."

"In the Book of Genehis race, which it is not "To the truth of this

The fecond Effay has a fimilar tendency. fis, many frange flories are told of him and of eafy to understand or to explain". P. 19. part of the Jewish hiftory, it may indeed be objected", &c.: " At

length,

length, according to the account", &c. But whatever may be thought of the other miracles", &c. P. 21." In thefe Eflays it is not propofed to enter into a very minute difcuffion of the fubject of miracles. The leading ones in general are meant to be taken for granted as the bafis of divine revelation, the evidence of which the young may with more advantage confider, when they have gained a comprehensive knowledge of the annals of mankind" P. 22. Extraordinary as was the character of the Jewith legiflator, it is certain that he showed fome weakness and incapacity, when he attempted to judge all the difputes and caufes of the people himfelf. Yet it must be acknow ledged, that his fair and open relation of the circumstances is an argument in favour of their credibility". P. 25. But whatever may be thought of thofe curious and wonderful tales", of Samfon, &c. P. 29. "But the mind may reafonably afk, what evidence is there for fuppofing, that fome of these predictions (by Ifaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel) were not written after the events which they appear to foretel?" P. 36. In another very exceptionable paffage (p. 227) the author fpeaks of fuicide as if it might in fome cafes be juftified; a feature of his morality as bad as the former of his religion! The only ufeful part is the questions for examination on hiftory, pp. 42, 134, and 354. But the author, though he fometimes affects to difguife it, is evidently one of thofe modern philofophers, who fuppofe themfelves fuperior to the religious doctrines of their country.

The paffages which we have produced in proof of this fact will juftify our very ftrong and pointed difapprobation of this work, as an aid to the inftruction of youth; and we must add, that the ftyle is far from being elegant or dignified, and the remarks upon hiftorical facts no lefs far from being profound.

ART. 51. A History of the late Siege of Gibraltar; with an Hiftori cal Sketch of that Garrison from the earliest Periods. Embellished with beautiful Engraving, reprefenting the Defeat of the Floating Batteries before the Garrison, Sept. 13, 1782. 8vo. 45 PP. Faulkner, Chelfea; Chapple, London. 1804.

Very young children, and other fuch readers, may perufe thefe pages, and contemplate the "beautiful engraving" prefixed to them, with much fatisfaction, provided the price (which we are not enabled to announce) has not too deeply invaded their pockets,

ART. 52. Evening Amusements; or, the Beauty of the Heavens dif played: in which feveral friking Appearances to be obferved on various Evenings in the Heavens, during the Year 1804, are defcribed, and fe veral Means within Doors are pointed out, by which the Time of Young People may be innocently, agreeably, and profitably employed; intended to be continued Annually. By William Frend, Efq. M. A. Fellow of Jefus College, Cambridge. 12mo. 2s. 6d. Mawman. 1804. The defign of this little work is excellent, nor can objection be made to its execution, except that, perhaps, it may be too abitrufe for the comprehenfion of thofe for whofe amufement and benefit it is intended. It evinces an intimate knowledge of the subject of aftronomy,

and

and is in all respects highly creditable to the author. We do not entirely underfland the drift of the whimfical Dedication of the book to X. Y. Z. but fhail be glad to be confidered as one or other of them; and fhall be much pleated to fee this attempt to combine amufement with inftruction annually continued, which Mr. Frend promifes it fhall.

ART. 53. The Triad, addreffed to the People of the United Empire in the beginning of a Storm; the bift Bower, Sheet, and spare Anchars a-head. 8vo. IS. Hatchard. 1804.

This tract contains three Elays, which the author calls metaphyfical, political, and poetical. The metaphyfics, in the first Effay, are not very fubile; but there is much good fenfe and pious reafoning in the fecond; the poetical Effay, or Ode on Charity, is moderately good as

a poem,

but excellent in the leffon which it teaches.

ART. 54. A few Obfervations tending to expose the Unfairness of fome Cenfures on the Character of David Sands, in a Publication called a Narrative of Events that have lately taken Place in Ireland, among the Society called Quakers, Ec. Svo. 14 pp. 3d. Darton. 1804.

It is ftated that "the objections to the ministry of David Sands were founded upon these two points; firit, that he, both in public teftimony and prayer, dared to prefume that Jefus Chrift is the appointed Mediator between God and man; and that our redemption is a work he begins and carries on, in his own divine character, and by his all-powerful fpirit, as poffeffing the fulness of Godhead: fe. condly, that David Sands recommended fubmiflion to British government, and occafionally put up prayer for Kings, when believing his duty led him to do fo." "However numerous may be the converts to Paine; yet the generality of the people, and more efpecially the religious part of the community, are not prepared to hear thefe important topics difputed". On these accounts (it feems) fome Quakers have feparated: if fo, we agree with the author, happy caufe, happy effect! and it is a fubject of rejoicing, that the Quakers have a living miniftry among them, powerful enough to throw off the morbid parts of their conftitution". In truth, it appears from this, and other recent publications, that very lamentable differences prevail among the Quakers, produced (as it feems) by fome turbulent fpirits, equally hoftile to loyalty and to Chriftianity,

ART. 55: Notices on the Slave Trade, in Reference to the prefent State of the British Isles. 8vo. 20 pp. 6d. Darton and Harvey, &c. 1804.

"The following pages were penned with a wifh, deeply affecting the heart of the writer, that this nation and its rulers may, in the prefent critical fituation of public affairs, be impreffed with a fenfe of the miferies, baffling the power of language to defcribe, which, for the fordid purpofe of gain, we are inflicting on the innocent natives of

Africa".

Africa". With this with we cordially concur; and we will yet hope that it may be accomplished, and that the due effects may ere long ap pear! Thefe Notices however (as they are ftyleo) are short and flight; and the book confifts chiefly of notes, containing the ftrongest paffages (and thofe extremely ftrong) in the fpe ches of our firt politi cians during the debate in Parliament on the 2nd of April, 1792. A copy of the Petition of the Prefbytery of Caithnefs on the fubject concludes this short tract.

ART. 56. An eafy Introduction to Monf. Wailly's French Grammar: in Tavo feparate Books. 1. The Scholar's Book; containing 1, Concife Examples of the different Sounds; from which when any Word in the Book deviates, it is pointed out in its Place. 2. The Uf of the va rious Articles and Pronouns, fo puzzling to the Learners, plainly demonftrated. 3. The Verbs claffed in the clearest Manner, and rendered eafy by the Comparison kept up between the two Languages. 4. The leffer Parts of Speech, and the ind finite Pronouns, facilitated by the Ap plication of them, as alfo fome of the principal idiomatical Exprions on various Verbs, with Exercises on each Leffon. The Whole being an ample Preparative towards attaining the Syntax in the above excellent Grammar-II. Inftructress's Book; containing the Method of Teaching, and concluding with Inftructions for Tranflating. By Blanch Mercy. Defigned for the Ufe of young Ladies. Two Volumes. 12mo. 4s. Bound. Baldwins. 1803.

Mrs. Mercy's English Grammar, to which this is intended as a fequel, was commended in our 15th vol. p. 210. The plan of having a feparate book for the teacher, who is often found to want a guide as much as the pupil, has been adopted in a few inftances which have fallen under our obfervation. It has certainly its advantages, and is the beft remedy that can be devised for deficiencies which would otherwife much impede the work of education. The author of this Grammar, who appears to be herself an experienced teacher, obviates, particularly in short notes, almost every difficulty which could arife. In one inftance, however, with all her care, fhe is evidently too learned for thofe fhe has to addrefs. In a note on l'ange, p. 10 of the Inftructress's Book, the fays, very properly, "this contraction, of course, causes the l'a to be pronounced in one fyllable." So far is clear; but she adds a reafon which, though perfectly right, is by no means equally intelligible : as nothing is more avoided in French than a hiatus." Few boarding-fchool teachers, or private governeffes, will understand this Latin term hiatus. It is, perhaps, explained in Mrs. Mercy's English Grammar; but, as memories are apt to be fhort, it would have been much better to explain it here alfo, by fubjoining, or meeting of two vowels." For this fhornets of memory in teachers, the author has herfelf provided, with great propriety, in other cafes. Thus, though fhe does, in the note here cited, explain the French mode of elition, yet, on des Anges again, in page 12, fhe gives a note, saying, "always remember to carry the confonant to the following vowel: here the s is of courfe pronounced as z, being between two vowels." It would have been better still if the had added, *thus, "dai zanges.”

The

The value of Wailly's Grammar is known and acknowledged, and the method which Mrs. M. has here taken to prepare both pupils and teachers for the ftudy of it, is highly creditable to her talents and knowledge, of which we could eafily detail abundant proofs.

FOREIGN CATALOGUE.

FRANCE.

ART. 57. Les principes du droit civil, proprement dit, et du droit commercial, comparés; ouvrage contenant les principales controverfes de la jurifprudence commerciale à l'usage des tribunaux de commerce, des négo cians et des perfonnes attachées à l'ordre judiciare; par P. B. Boucher, auteur de divers ouvrages fur le commerce et la marine, membre de plufieurs fociétés favantes, et professeur du droit commercial et maritime à l'académie de légiflation; 2 voll. in 8vo. of about 400 pp. each. Paris.

In the prefent work, which is the only one exifting in the French language on this fubject, the author takes great pains to reduce to proper principles the parts of which it confits. He does not enter into many details, but is fatisfied with endeavouring to give the solution of the principal queftion about which there was a diversity of opinion : fuch are, for example, the following:

"Peut-on être cité devant le tribunal de commerce, pour le premier acte de commerce que l'on a fait ? Un mineur de 14 ans, marié, et un feptuagénaire, marchand, peuvent-ils être contraints par corps? Peut-on appofer des avals fur de fimples billets à ordie? Peut-on prononcer la contrainte par corps contre la caution d'un marchand, lequel fait ou ne fait pas le commerce? Le bénéfice de divifion et de difcuffion eft-il abfolument inconnu au commerce? Le particulier, non marchand, qui endoffe les billets à ordre d'un marchand, peut-il être cité devant le tribunal de commerce? Lors de la faillite du principal obligé à un effet de commerce, le dernier porteur d'ordre avant l'échéance, peut-il demander le payement au premier endoffeur, etc. ou bien caution? En cas que l'un des endoffeurs vienne à faillir, peut-on demander caution à l'un d'eux? L'aval féparé produit-il le même effet que l'aval appofé fur la traite? La contrainte par corps peut-elle avoir lieu entre affociés? Peut-on tirer une lettre de change fur foimême ? Peut-on exiger qu'un négociant représente fes livres en certains cas? Quel eft le degré de croyance qu'on doit avoir aux livres des négocians? Les mots aval, acceptation, endossement font-ils fynonymes de celui de caution? Dans quel cas y a-t-il remife de płace en place? Quelle diftance faut-il qu'il y ait entre le tireur et l'accepteur, pour que la traite foit une véritable lettre-de-change?"

Nouv. Efpr. des Journ.

ART.