learn writing before he was feven years old; and this was all his education! He is at prefent a ladies fhoemaker, and works for Mr. Davies, Lombard-street. Mr. CAPEL LOFFT has drawn up from the letters of Bloomfield's brother, a fhort biographical sketch of the poet's early years: the fame gentleman corrected the falfe fpelling of the M.S. and the falfe grammar; but he has done nothing more. Of the prefent poem we may truly fay, that it abounds with accurate and minute defcription; the perufal of it will gratify those who have a taste for poetry, and are not infenfible of the charms of nature.

Mr. MAURICE has published his "Poems, Epiftolary, Lyric, and Elegiacal." Some of thefe we noticed as they parately made their appearance. Mr. M. has a lively fancy and a copioufnefs of expreffion: we are pleased to fee collected in one volume thefe fcattered effufions of his genius.

Mr. PYBUS-one of the Lords Commiffioners of the Treafury-has addreffed to his Imperial Majefty Paul Emperor of of all the Ruffias, a magnificent folio volume full of verfes, called the "Sovereign." Whether this rhyming Commillioner intends to offer his fervices as a poet-laureat to the Emperor of all the Ruffias, we know not; but really the fpeculation would not be a bad one, as the prefent fpecimen of his abilities would fpeak very highly in his favor. If fuch a fcheme fhould be in contemplation, we would advise our author, however, to reprint a few copies, and omit the dedication, which at prefent is addreffed to the King of Great Britain; because, it feems, "the author would probably have been lefs captivated with the character of a foreign prince, if his fentiments had not been habitually formed under the influence of that example, which is the pride and ornament of the British throne." This is a clumfy compliment to his Imperial Majefty, and we fhould certainly have expected fomething better from a Lord of the Treasury!

Dr. BOOKER, whofe "Malvern Hills" we mentioned with refpect on a former occafion, has published "The Hop-gardens, a Didactic Poem," which will not derogate from his reputation. The Doctor's poetry is tolerably fmooth and me!lifluent, but certainly deficient in fpirit and pathos; nor is his language always perfectly correct. Subjoined to the Hopgardens is a poem on Ale, which, of the two, is far more poetical and defcrip.

Mr. HARLEY'S "Ballads, Stories Sonnets, &c." are many of them pleafing and fimple.

ANDREW MERRY, Efq. has given us "The Laft Dying Words of the Eighteenth Century, a Pindaric Ode," giving a humorous and chronological detail of all the remarkable events, fashions, characers, &c. This idea is a good one, but the execution is certainly not much to be boasted of.

The knell of the eighteenth century, however, has been rung in a tone truly fad and funereal by the Poet Laureat, in his "Carmen Seculare" for the Year 1800," which Mr. PYE, in an abfurd and fchool-boy calculation, endeavours to prove is the beginning of the new century. Where a man is obliged to compofe an annual ode on a barren fubject, he is to be cominiferated; but as the Poet Laureat has here volunteered his fervices, there is nothing unmerciful in giving an opinion on the merits of his performance. Obfcurity, metaphyfical confufion, hyperbole, frequent and tirefome perfonification and affected phrafeology, are the cha racteristics of this adulatory ode.

Mr. Du Bois' "Wreath," confists of "Selections from Sappho, Theocritus, Bion, and Mofchus, accompanied by a Profe Tranflation with Notes; to which are added, Remarks on Shakespeare, and a Comparison between Horace and Lucian." Mr. Du Bois, according with Mr. Cowper in opinion, that a juft tranflation of any ancient poem in rhyme is impoffible, has given us a verfion, almost literal, of the beautiful remains of those minor poets. It must be acknowledged that the language of the prefent tranflation is remarkably fmooth and polished; but in the transfufion of fuch exquifite poetry into profe-into plain profe-the fpirit of the original is confiderably evaporated. We have read poetical tranflations of the minor poets, both of Greece and Rome, which, though lefs correct than the prefent, have far more attractive charms for us.

We have perused the fourth edition of Mr. GISBORN's" Walks in a Forest," with much delight. The author has. made a variety of corrections, occafionally expanding his defcriptions, occafionally compreffing them," and almost in every inftance improving the effect. The addi tions are numerous and beautiful, and the whole poem has now received a polish which must enhance its value.

Mr. DONOGGHREE'S "Effay on the Paflions, and other Poems," display tafte 4 N 2

and

are to these literary freedoms, we are ready to acknowledge that Mrs. I. has been more fuccefsful in the prefent than in any former occafion. The Writing Desk is not a firft rate comedy, but the variety of character and incident which is displayed renders it interefting.

"La Peroufe" has been tranflated by Mifs PLUMPTRE and Mr. THOMPSON, from the German of Kotzebue: it poffeffes but very little merit.

We are obliged to give the fame opinion of Kotzebue's Poverty and Noblenefs of Mind," which has been tranflated by Mrs. GESWEILER, and adapted to the English flage by PRINCE HOARE, with the title altered to Sighs, or the Daughter."

Mr. CUMBERLAND has alfo adapted to the English ftage, a noify bustling drama from the fame untired author, entitled "Joanna of Montfaucon," a romantic tale of the fourteenth century.

"The Siege of Cuzco" is a tragedy by Mr. SOTHEBY, the elegant translator of Oberon the conteft for the poffeffion of Cuzco between Almagro and Pizarro forms the fubject of this drama, which, from its deficiency of incident, and its obfcurity of language, confiderably difappoints our expectation.

"The Tournament," a tragedy, by MARIANA STARKE, is an elegant imitation from the celebrated drama " Agnes Bernauer."

Mr. HOLMAN has founded on the Robbers of Schiller, a play which he has called "The Red-crofs Knights:" this is a moft mercilefs mutilation.

"The East Indian," a comedy, was written by Mr. LEWIS before he was fixteen years of age: the public has had fenfe enough to defpife it. On the fubject of

EDUCATION

we have not many works to notice. Mrs. PILKINGTON'S "Spoiled Child," and her "New Tales of the Caftic," are little volumes at once amufing and inftructive: the fame may be faid of Mifs HOLMES'S "James Manners, Little John, and their dog Bluff"

Mr. NORTHMORE of Cleve, has publifhed, part 1." Of Education founded upon Principles :" Mr. N. is an advocate for private education, and is attached to the fyftem of Mr. Godwin; this is a truly refpectable work.

We cannot fay fo much of "Converfations and amufing Tales," pompously "offered to the public for the youth of Great Britain," in a quarto volume, price fifteen fillings.

Dr. CHAPMAN has published an useful "Abridgement of Mr. Ruddiman's Rudiments and Grammar of the Latin tongue,' &c. to which he has prefixed a short vocabulary, English and Latin.

Mr. LYON, teacher of Hebrew, to the University of Cambridge, has published on one large fheet," A compendious Hebrew grammar," exhibiting at one view upwards of 200 of the most effential rules, illuftrated with accurate tables, in order to facilitate the study of the facred language.

The Rev. RICHARD CADDICK has alfo endeavoured to exhibit" Hebrew made eafy :" he has rendered his grammar conformable to the Latin by declining the Hebrew nouns with fix cafes.

Mr. CRABB'S "Complete Introduction to the Knowledge of the French Language," does not appear to have much advantage over thofe which have preceded it.

The Rev. Don FEL. FERNANDEZ has facilitated the acquifition of the Spanish language by the publication of "Exercites" on the rules of its conftruction, confifting of paffages extracted from the best authors, with references to the rule, of the Spanish grammar.

"An Experiment in Education made at the Male Afylum of Madras," &c. by the Rev. ANDREW BELL: this little book, which gives us the account of an inftitution which is likely to be beneficial to the Company, deferves to be circulated: the children are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, and the school is fo conducted that the higher boys become the teachers of the lower. It is pleafing to notice the attention which is paid to the morals of all the young perfons in the school.

Mrs. HELENA WELLS has addreffed to her pupils fome "Letters on Subjects of Importance to the Happiness of young Females" which do credit to her understanding: they contain much fenfible advice on the cultivation of intellectual talents, and on the regulation of the temper. Mrs. W. had added a few practical lessons on im- . proprieties of language which had better be expunged from any future edition: her work indeed abounds with grammatical errors, and the moft grofs improprieties of expreffion are recommended in these practical leffons !

Mifs HELME has tranflated from the German of J. H. Campe " Columbus, or the Difcovery of America:" this is an excellent book for children.

"The Hare: or Hunting incompatible

with

with Humanity," is laudably written as a ftimulus to youth towards a proper treatment of animals.

"Eugenio; or the Precepts of Prudentio," is a moral tale by the Rev. I. BIDLAKE, confifting of a series of dialogues between a tutor and his pupil, which will convey much useful advice and religious inftruction to young perfons.

Dr. MAVOR'S "Natural Hiftory for the Ufe of Schools," is excellently adapted to young capacities, and to the purposes of tuition. It is founded on the Linnæan arrangement of animals, with popular defcriptions in the manner of GoldImith and Buffon. The felection is made with great judgment, the language and ftyle are correct and elegant, and the plates are numerous and well executed.

MISCELLANIES.

In this comprehenfive divifion of our Retrofpect will be found many valuable works.

Major RENNEL has examined "The Geographical Syftem of Herodotus," and explained it by a comparifon with thofe of other ancient authors and with modern geography. In his preface the author informs us that many years ago he had undertaken the task of correcting the geography ancient and modern of that part of Afia, which lies between India and Europe; that he has since performed it to the best of his abilities, fo far as his ftock of materials admitted, but that it would have been an act of imprudence in an individual to venture on fo great an expenfe as the execution of the work, in all its parts, required. He has however prepared the first divifion of it, confifting of the geography of Herodotus. The remaining parts will confift of the ancient geography, as it was improved by the Grecian conquefts and establishments; together with fuch parts of military hifrory as appear to want explanation. the course of the prefent highly valuable volumes are introduced Differtations on the Itinerary Stade of the Greeks, the Expedition of Darius Hyftafpes to Scythia, the Pofition and Remains of Ancient Babylon, the Alluvions of the Nile, and Canals of Suez: The Oasis and Temple of Jupiter Ammon, the Ancient Circumnavigation of Africa, and other fubjects of Hiftory and Geography. The whole is explained by eleven Maps adapted to the different fubjects, and accompanied with a correct Index. Major Rennel has happily applied modern information to elucidate many opinions and events of anti

In

SP

quity; but his infufficient acquaintance, however, with the Greek language, and want of bibliographical knowledge, will excite the regret of every learned reader. It is generally known, and univerfaliy lamented by his tenantry and neighbour. hood, that LORD MONBODDO has paid the debt of nature: previously to that event, however, appeared his fixth and last volume of "Ancient Metaphyfics, diftinguished by all the whimsical eccentricities, the fenfe and nonfenfe, the wifdom and folly of the former: it profeffes to be a demonftration of the Being and Attributes of Almighty God, as well as an explanation upon philofophical principles of the facred myfteries of Chriftianity. It gives us great pleasure to remark, however we may fmile at the wild metaphy fics and crazy philofophy of this excellent and truly venerable old man, that his courfe of ftudies afforded him comfort and confolation in the declining days of his life: "I fhould think myself wanting," fays he," in the duty I owe to God, if I did not acknowledge his goodness in enabling me, old and infirm as I am, to enjoy the greatest happiness that man can enjoy in this life; by which at the fame time he is prepared for the enjoyment of that happiness in a much greater degree in the life to come: the happiness I mean is the contemplation of the wifdom and goodness of God." Although perhaps the volumes of Lord Monboddo may long lie neglected in fome duft-covered corner of our libraries, when accident leads us to open them, we fhall be amply rewarded by fome folid remark, or fome moral refiection which may make us wifer or better men.

Practical Philofophy of Social Life, &c. after the German of Baron Knigge, by P. WILL, Minifter of the Reformed German Congregation in the Savoy. Few men had more opportunities of becoming acquainted with the human character in various fituations, or made better ufe of them than Baron Knigge; the prefent work is the refult of his obfervations, and may be read with amufement and inftruction by moft claffes of men.

Mr. CHALMERS has published in one dull and heavy volume, "A Supplemental Apology for the Believers in the Shakespeare Papers, &c." this work evinces much bad tafte, much credulity, and much ill-directed industry.

To the honour of Sir JOHN SINCLAIR he has brought to a conclufion that laborious work "The Statistical Account of Scot

land,

land, drawn up from the communications of the minifters of the different parishes, as a book of reference. This account of the different parishes of Scotland, "quithout a fingle one being omitted," is highly valuable, and it is made peculiarly fo by the general Index at the end. The worthy Baronet we understand, in order to render the contents of this work more generally useful, instead of refting after his labors, has actually begun an Analyfis of these accounts, in which he designs 10 give the refult of this minute inquiry into the state of North Britain.

Mr. BROWELL has given us "An Account of the Navies of foreign Powers, particularly thofe of France, Spain, and Batavia, now at War with Great Britain: including a Lift of Frigates, Corvettes, and Sloops: alfo, the Navies of Ruffia, Sweden, Denmark, and Naples, with a Comparative State of the Line of Battle Ships in the laft War, and the prefent State of the British Navy." The greater part of this pamphlet is occupied by the French Navy, and the author states that his principal defign is to expose an artifice practifed by the French, who frequently change the names of their fhips, in order, as he fays, to deceive the world, and make their navy appear more formidable than it really is.

The firft volume is published of "An Account of the Operations carried on for accomplishing a Trigonometrical Survey of England and Wales, from the Commencement of the Year 1784, to the End of the Year 1796." Thefe Memoirs were originally published in the Philofophical Tranfactions, from which work, with a view to more general circulation, they are now extracted and revised by Captain WILLIAM MUDGE, F. R. S. and Mr. ISAAC DALBY. The prefent volume, the plates of which are twenty-two in number, and well executed; contains a measurement of the bafe on Hounslow Heath, in 1784; Trigonometrical Operations in 1787, 1788; Trigonometrical Survey, 1791, 1794; Trigonometrical Survey, 1795, 1796., THOMAS NORTHMORE, Efq. has given to the public, a "Quadruplet" of very ingenious inventions, confifting, I. Of a Defcription of a Nocturnal or Diurnal Telegraph :-II. A Propofal for an Uni

HALF-YEARLY RETROSPECT THE cultivation of letters to any con

fiderable effect is incompatible with the avocations of a man whofe bread de

verfal Character:-III. An Eafy and Practical Contrivance for preventing Boats from Sinking:-and IV. A Scheme for facilitating the Progrefs of Science, exemplified in the Ofteological Part of Anatomy.

HENRY MACKENZIE, Efq. has prefixed to the first volume of Prize-Eflays and Tranfactions of the Highland Society of Scotland "An Account of the Inftitution and Principal Proceedings of the Society; from which account, and from the general contents of the prefent volume, it appears that the object of this liberal inftitution is to promote the fertility of the foil in Scotland by enclosures, and the adoption of an improved fyftem of cultvation, to introduce manufactures and encourage arts. In the lift of members which is fubjoined we see numerous illuftrious names, and the communications in this first volume abundantly prove that the focicty is rich in men of talents and knowledge.

The 17th volume has appeared of the Tranfactions of the Society inftituted at London for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, &c. many of the premiums offered in the prefent volume by this munificent affociation are new, and many are increafed in value. We cannot avoid noticing Mr. EDMUND CARTWRIGHT'S" Memorial" read to the abovementioned Society, and his

Speech" to them, which are published together with an Appendix containing Letters from the late Sir William Jones, Dr. Thurlow late Bishop of Durham, and other diftinguished characters.-Mr. C. a gentleman of great talents and high eminence in the literary world, had offered himself a candidate as Secretary to the Society; feeling however, in his own bofom a conviction that another candidate, his rival, poffeffed qualifications for the office and an interest among the members fuperior to his own-a conviction, the juftnefs of which, may without any difparagement to that rival, be fairly queftioned-he refigned his pretenfions, and Mr. CHARLES TAYLOR from Lancashire, than whom a more proper perfon could not poffibly have been nominated, was in confequence elected. This memorial of Mr. Cartwright does great ho nor to his liberality and candor as well as to his genius and understanding.