and artful supporters. However this may be, the present author refers us to the accomplishment of prophecy, as tending to confirm the faith and console the minds of believers; and he also adds those seasonable exhortations to the Clergy, which, if cordially received and faithfully regarded, may contribute to advance that Christian piety and virtue, which will be found the best preparation for meeting the appointments of divine Providence, of whatever nature they may be. Among other things, we here remark a saying ascribed to a late sceptic of great and cultivated abilities' (Mr. Gibbon); that, "if he could believe the truth of Christianity, he would set the Clergy an example that should shame them."We do not recollect to have met with this anecdote before: but the Doctor candidly exhibits it to notice; adding, Fus est et ab hoste doceri. POLITICS, &c. Art. 24. On the Probable Effects of the Peace, with respect to the Commercial Interests of Great Britain: being a brief Examination of some Prevalent Opinions. 8vo. 29. 6d. Hatchard. 18oz. The lines, which formerly stood at the head of Vincent Wing's Almanack, asserted that War begets Poverty-Poverty Peaceand Peace makes riches flow:", but some persons now seem to be of opinion that the maxim ought to be reversed. We, however, refuse to belong to this new sect, and must adhere to the old orthodox doctrine That country must be in a hopeless state, and its politics must have been conducted on a very mistaken system, if its well being should demand perpetual war with its neighbours. Whatever errors may have marked our conduct, we have no reason for believing ourselves to be in so disgraceful and so deplorable a situation. Some changes will take place on the succession of war to peace: but, on the whole, the reign of the latter must be more advantageous than that of the former. Even supposing that which may not actually happen, (since our enemies will become our customers as well as our rivals,) viz.; that our commerce may in some respects decline, it will increase in others; and our expences will certainly be diminished. The author of the pamphlet before us, in reply to various queries, assigns grounds for concluding that our trade will not suffer by the peace, though he is aware that we are about to encounter a general competition. He is persuaded that our artificers will not emigrate to France in any injurious degree; that the want of fuel in that country must prevent its rivalling us in several of our manufactures; and that its unsettled government, as well as the very genius and habits of the French people, will operate as serious impediments against their becoming a trading nation. We know not whether much stress ought to be laid on the last of these remarks: but the Englishman may say to the Frenchman, as Uncle Toby said to the fly when he turned it out at the window,"Go and seek thy fortune, the world is large enough for thee and me." Art. 25. Farther Observations on the Improvements in the Maintenance of the Poor, in the town of Kingston upon Hull. 8vo. Robinsons, &c. No No name is affixed to this little tract, but the writer of it can never blush on being known, since his remarks are not only prompted by genuine benevolence and a regard to the best interests of society, but discover an intimate acquaintance with the state and present treatment of the poor. We admire his principles, and have no hesitation in recommending his hints to general attention. down this indisputable maxim, that the labourer ought to live He lays by his work, and to be paid for doing his work by the person who employs him, and not by the parish.' The contrary practice is a double injustice; in the first place, it forces the labourer to ask that as charity to which he is intitled in equity; and, in the second place, it obliges those to contribute to his relief, who have not been benefited by his labour. Having on former occasions stated our opinion of the bad effects of this custom on the morals of the lower classes, we shall not repeat it here. If the poor must be forced into general receptacles, too much attention cannot be given to their superintendance; and perhaps it is a bad plan to change the overseers annually, as is the usual mode in most parishes. We highly approve what this writer has suggested on the subject of placing out poor children, especially girls; as well as his strictures on the cruelty to the pauper, and the expence to the community, which often attend the removals of poor, on their becoming chargeable, to their own parishes. It was a wise regulation which prohibited the use of cheese in the diet of the poor house at Kingston upon Hull, particularly when bread was dear, because cheese is one of the greatest consumers of bread; as private families have found in the late scarcity.-We have not room to state farther particulars, though the subject is of great importance. The condition of the poor requires much serious thought; and it can only be amended by the persevering labours of respectable persons. Art. 26. An Appeal to Experience and Good Sense, by a Comparison of the present with former Periods. 8vo. This very sensible pamphlet appears to have been composed within s. 6d. Hatchard. the period which occurred between the publication of the late Preliminaries of Peace, and the signature of the Definitive Treaty: a period of disagreeable suspence to not a few were led by their prejudices, or by political despondency, individuals many among us, and in which to spread unfavourable prognostics with regard to our national pro. spects. To dispel every idea of this unpleasant kind appears to be the laudable motive of the present writer; and we really think that he deserves well of his country for the prompt exertion of his respectable talents, on this interesting occasion. He observes that, at the conclusion of every Peace, we meet with a plentiful effusion of prophetic despondency, which, if not checked by the good sense of the Government of the country, or the people, would often bring ont the evils it professes to deplore.' p. 12. To produce so desirable an effect was the intention of this author: who, in every point, endeavours to shew that we have long been in such a state of progressive improvement, as leaves no room for the fears and apprehensions of gloomy politicians. LAW. LAW. Art. 27. An Abridgement of the Modern Determinations in the Courts of PP. 450 We have more than once observed to our readers, that our opinion of the general merits of this work, both as to plan and execu tion, should be delayed till it was completed. In conformity with that intention, we now only record the publication of the fourth volume. Art. 28. Original Precedents of Settlements, drawn by the most distinguished Conveyancers of the present Day, and now first published under the Direction and Inspection of James Barry Bird, Esq. Author of the Conveyancer's Assistant, &c. 8vo. pp. 330. 98. Boards. Clarke and Son. 1800. We see nothing in these Precedents to which we can object, but the publication of them appears to us altogether unnecessary after the comprehensive collections of Bridgman, Lilly, and Horsman. These works, from which we have derived on many occasions great and valuable assistance, we cannot be induced to lay aside; though we are informed by the editor of the present volume that they do not contain that vast store of thought, that polish of style, or that essential to every kind of writing, perspicuity, for which modern Prece-dents are so eminently distinguishe; and though they may be deficient in that elegance and ornament,' for which Mr. Bird is so strenuous an advocate as to wish them to be introduced into works which require only clearness and distinctness, and in which the qualities that he recommends would be misapplied and intolerable. Art. 29. A Digest of the Stamp Laws, and complete Stamp Table; shewing at one View, under distinct Heads, the various Stamp Duties now payable; the Origin, Progress, and present State of those Duties, &c. &c.; and particularising the Specific Duty applicable to Scotland. The whole illustrated with Practical Annotations, Opinions of Counsel, and Extracts from Cases argued in the different Courts of Judicature; also a copious Index. By J. A. Heraud, Law Stationer, &c. 8vo. pp. 339. Clarke and Son. 1801. In his address to the Public, Mr. Heraud observes (and we entirely coincide with him) that as the practical tendency of this work must be evident from the title-page, its peculiar nature scarcely requires farther explanation.'-The volume will be found useful, though it cannot be considered as a complete Digest; a deficiency that will be the more easily pardoned, when the voluminous, intricate, and complicated nature of the Stamp-Laws is recollected by the reader. Art. 30. Abstract of the Cause, just arbitrated between the Birmingbam and Fazeley Canal Navigations Company as Plaintiffs, and John Pinkerton as Defendant; stating the Case and Evidence, &c. &c. 93. Boards. By By John Pinkerton, Engineer and Canal Contractor. It is not uncommon for a man, who refers a matter to arbitration, to be dissatisfied with the award but it is very unusual, and we trust that it will continue so, for a discontented complainant to levy the large contribution on the patience and indulgence of the Public, which has been imposed in the present instance by Mr. Pinkerton. After the termination of the dispute, the author might easily have dedicated his time and his thoughts to better purposes than to the formation of this volume; from which we can derive no remarks that would be interesting either to the general or the professional reader.-Regarding the reflections which are here cast on several respectable persons, we shall say nothing, because Mr. Pinkerton's conduct on this point is now under discussion in a Court of Law. Art. 31. The Trial of Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Wall, for the Murder of Benjamin Armstrong, toth July 1782, at Goree in Africa : who was tried at Justice Hall in the Old Bailey, 20th Jan. 1802. Taken in short hand by Messrs. Ramsey and Blanchard. 2s. 6d. Hatchard, &c. 8vo. This curious and important trial is here very fully detailed; and we apprehend that the experience and practice of the reporters will insure its accuracy.-In p. 65. 1. 10. however, a material typo graphical error in the dates caught our attention; 1802 is printed for 1782. Art. 32. A few Observations on the present State of the Poor, and the Defects of the Poor Laws; with some Remarks upon Parochial Assessments and Expenditures. By the Rev. H. B. Dudley, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Essex. 8vo. Is. 6d. Cadell jun. and Davies. 1802. We have read this tract with attention, and we think that it is calculated to lessen the burthens of the Public, and to increase the comforts of the poorer classes of society. The abuses pointed out in the conduct of overseers, and in the shameful expenditure of enormous sums of money, collected under rates which are unequal in their operation, are such as would naturally suggest themselves to a person resident in the country, and possessing such sources of knowledge as belong to the writer of this pamphlet. Art. 33. Remarks on the Poor Laws, and on the State of the Poor. 8vo. pp. 170. 4s. Payne and Mackinlay. 18oz. This pamphlet has many recommendations to public notices. it discusses a subject of general interest with dispassionate impartiality and considerable ability; it gives a short but comprehensive and intelligible view of the laws which, in different periods of our history, have been made for the relief and employment of the poor; and it points out, with temper, the many abuses in which the present system is involved by the introduction of the Law of Settlements in the reign of the second Charles, and by the departure from the principles and regulations of the statute passed in the forty-third year of Elizabeth. We have not often perused a work of similar nature and extent, from which we have derived so much information. Art. Art. 34. An Abstract of Observations on the Poor-Larus; with a Reply to the Remarks of the Rev. James Nasmith, D. D. by Robert Saunders, Esq. 8vo. Is. 6d. Sewell. 1802. Of the former publication of this intelligent writer, we gave an ac count in our 29th vol. N. S. p. 458: in the present work, he maintains the same sntiments, and urges the necessity of separating the duties of overseer and collector. The result of Mr. Saunders's 'deliberations, and the substance of his opinion on this important topic, may be collected from the two following paragraphs. He considers, first, That the present system (by which is meant the law as blended with the practice) is very defective in its execution, frequently increasing the evil it was meant to remedy, by supplying the wants of the importunate and profligate, thereby promoting habits of sloth and wretchedness; by leaving the deserving and modest poor unprotected, or compelling them to submit to a disgraceful residence in a workhouse, (improperly so called,) associated with vice and infamy; and lastly, by a profuse and increasing expenditure of public money, with a train of consequences fatal in the extreme.' He then proceeds to his second conclusion; That parliament cannot possess the means of legislating with effect in improving the poor-laws, or the public derive all that information and advantage which the collected practice of near thirteen thou sand parishes might afford, less there is an establishment for the purpose of arranging materials, diffusing the knowlege of successful practice, and for furnishing parliament with facts drawn up in a concise form from the unerring source of such extensive information.' Both these topics are discussed in an able and satisfactory manner. The remainder of the pamphlet is occupied in answering some objec tions made by Dr. Nasmith to Mr. Saunders's plan: but those objec tions having been already noticed by us in our account of the Doctor's publication, (vide M. R. N. S. Vol. xxxii. p. 95.) we refer our readers to that article. Too much praise cannot easily be bestowed on those persons who devote their leisure to the consideration of a subject, which involves in it the comforts of so many thousands; and the present age is to be commended for an attention to the wants and condition of the poor, which has not been equalled in any former period. Art. 35. The Law respecting Tithes; comprising all the Cases and Statutes on the Subject of Tithes, &c. &c. Together with all other Matters necessary for the Information of Clergymen, Farmers, and Country Solicitors. By the Author of the Laws of Landlord and Tenant, &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 100. 3s. sewed. Clarke and The subject of tithes has of late years received considerable attention; it has frequently been mentioned in parliament, and has been discussed at length in two extensive publications. The present volume, which is chiefly a compilation from the works of Mr. Wood and Mr. Gwillim, has little to recommend it to the notice of the public; since the very nature of its plan renders it too brief and concise to furnish satisfactory assistance to any description of readers REV. APRIL, 1802. Ff Art. |